Posted 10 years ago
BHock45
(807 items)
I wanted to share this cradle with everyone. I think it is nice, very simple, no fancy hood or anything like that. I think that box is made of maple, but I am sure the base is oak. Hand carved handles and rockers. The mid support on the bottom is through-cut mortise and tennon. Dovetail joinery to keep the box together, look like hand cast nails were used originally. Someone added screws at some point. Besides that I would think it is original. The holes at the bottom I am thinking are original, they are clearly hand-bored. Not done with a drill. The only damage is to one of the rockers, but it cannot be seen in the pictures. I think it was done in a red paint or a red wash. Nice patina, but I would have to say it is from 1850-1900. I welcome any comments or ideas. Thanks for looking!
thanks for the love agh
i still regret my new born son (1974) had not the opportunity to sleep in such a wonderful antique cradle,
agram, thanks for the comment, id, I was wondering the same thing about the holes. I am not sure if it was painted white, i don't think so.
I am not looking at the wood....only the joinery (dovetails). I think this may be older than you are estimating. In fact I think it may be way older than you give it credit for. Tomorrow is another day and I will compare it then. Right now we are off to a 4th of July BBQ.
Please leave these pictures up as I will need them to explain. This is a wonderful piece but has seen some upkeep over the years which I can explain. The piece is really something in terms of being original and what restoration it has seen was done by a true craftsman.
fhjr2, yes, I will wait in suspense until tomorrow. Last night I was up comparing the joinery to some older pieces in books and auction catalogs and wondering if it could be older. I am excited for you to explain. Have a great 4th! let me know if you need some more pictures.
OK. Nothing in a picture is for sure but I did do some research today. I am speaking only about the image that shows the dovetail joints. I believe the top end has seen some rework many years ago because you have dovetails from two different era's in time. The bulk of this image could date as early as 1780 or well into the 1800's. The very top joints were made by a different craftsman during a different period of time. Probably 1850 or later. Dovetails went through transitions during different periods of time. Usually in America first because European craftsmen wouldn't give up the tradition of joinery. After 1850 and around 1890 they went to a pinned dovetail which didn't last long.
I think (based on the picture only) I would feel safe saying that part of this is pre 1850. The remainder of it is questionable as it appears to have seen some repair. Not a bad thing because it isn't by any means new restoration. Perhaps repaired very late 1800's or early 1900's. If you can find an old world craftsman or someone who does restoration for a historical society take it to them and print out what I have written to show them. Antique dealers are worthless with an item like this.
Good luck and I hope this helps
fhjr2, thank you for taking the time to analyze the photo of the piece. When I get home I will be sure to post some more pictures. Just to be clear, you are referring to photo number 4 correct?
So beautiful! I love the air holes!
You are correct, I was looking a pic #4.
fhrjr, are you saying the restoration involved splicing the top piece of the end board?
Btw, here are some more pictures if you have time.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/127583-cradle-post-2
I am not sure if "splicing" is the correct word. I hope this makes sense.
No I don't think the piece was spliced in. I think from what I see it was simply reworked after being damaged.
Look at pic #1 above. First look at the foot end. Notice how on the back side where the bottom joins it there is a drop down where the bottom goes over the side. That would be standard practice. Now notice the front (closest side) where it joins the bottom end, no drop down. Usually, even on old dresser drawers there would be a 1/8" to 1/4" drop down where the sides join the face or back. That was done so the top joint would wrap around or curve slightly downward over the top side joint. That locked everything together and no nails or glue were needed. Looking at the left/headboard end you have a similar situation where the two sides join the headboard. One side appears to be correct and the other looks reworked. I think if you can have a local craftsman look at it in person and consider my input he will agree. Seeing it in person is important.
One other thing you might do is check the white paint to see if it is milk paint. The only thing I am aware of that will remove/dissolve milk paint is ammonia. A drop or two somewhere and let it set a minute or two to soak then wipe it. Modern paint can be cleaned with ammonia but it will dissolve milk paint. Modern paint strippers and even a heat gun won't work on real milk paint. Sanding it tends to actually drive it deeper into the wood but will eventually get rid of it.
fhrjr, Just want to say thank you for putting the time in to help me. I will certainly look into the paint and let you know what happens.
fhr, if you are around I wanted to tell you this story. Amazing thing actually. The other day I was skimming c-list when I came across a very similar looking cradle in PA. The more I looked, the more I could swear it was nearly identical to this one. I couldn't see any specifics like the joinery, wood or anything like that. Long story short I take the ride into PA. The dude takes it out of his house and says "it is a little dusty". The cradle was so dusty I couldnt even see the wood. I end up getting it for dirt cheap and he says it was in the house when he bought it and knows nothing about it. Well I know it is old, and the construction is the same as this one. It could be the same maker or makers without the fixup job. I am going to take some photos tomorrow in the sunlight and post it. It is really amazing how that happened. Take care all.
I would be interested in knowing what town you found it in. There were a good many local craftsmen in Pa. years ago. Covered with dust can be a blessing. With luck it means the thing has not seen restoration it was simply no longer used and stowed away. Out of sight so out of mind waiting for someone to rescue it. Bad part is it could have dry rot and the wood is probably brittle. That can be addressed pretty easily.
Of course, fhrjr, it was found in Bensalem. I have the pics and I am going to post it right now. It is amazing that both pieces have the EXACT same length and width!
I am familiar with Bensalem area. I remember crossing the Burlington - Bristol bridge when it cost five cents. The only chair I ever had I couldn't eventually identify came from that area. Still have two drop leaf tables and a secretary from the area. That is prime territory for finding stuff if you can locate it and then talk someone out of it.