Posted 10 years ago
BHock45
(807 items)
Two old pieces out to make room for this one new one. And I am happy I made that choice. This was found in a small mountain top estate in central NJ. A few antiques inside the home, but they were old and very very affordable. This is the piece I chose, now I have mixed feelings.
I am thinking it is made of mixed woods, with a walnut veneer on the drawer fronts? The joinery used, dovetails. I am not a pro, but these look mid to early 1800's to me. The piece is well made, not a cheap piece. The drawers have dovetails on all four corners....strange. I love the brasses, I think they are original. Everything to me says old and nice and I hope American...however,
Looks like some major repairs were done here. I am not sure if you can tell from the images, but many of the drawers and the inside of the unit had to be reworked. This is what confuses me, it is hard to tell what is new, and what is original. Anyway, I am hoping some folks will chime in here, take care all!!!
Mahogony, not walnut.
T A
Mahogany ;)
thank u tubeamp, thanks ho2culcha, mike, agram and smiata
I have a feeling this piece is quite old, but with some recent repairs.
Actually mahogony VENEER-- the base wood shown in picture #4 does look to be Walnut.
Take a picture of the drawer interior where the brass drawer pulls are attached. Usually it is easy to tell from the interior if they are original.
scott
The picture of the drawer interior will show smooth wood (most likely original pulls) OR an additional hole in the center where a different pull was there at one time (most likely simple wood pull).
Either way, I like it!
scott
Scott, Yes you are exactly on point, this is what had me confused. These must be new brasses. There is an old hold in the middle with some type of wooden dowel still embedded. There are two new screws, phillips head, nonetheless, holding these new brasses on.
However, we studying the brasses last night, I noticed a few things. They are stamped with a number on the handle, and they are not all the same, in other words, there are slight differences. I was reading Wallace Nutting's book last night, he says that older brasses are beveled along the edge, I cant tell if these are. I have to look again today, it was late last night. Thanks for the help scott!
I believe this piece had some major work done to it, which is why it is in such good solid shape today.
manikin, agh and kyratango thanks for the loves!
Sounds like old style brass used to replace simple wood drawer pulls (which is what I would have expected on this piece).
The chest looks to be about 1830- 1850, so the brass pulls looked odd to me. Usually they affect a large area around the holes, so an attempt to replace with original wood pulls leaves different colored wood or an impressed area exposed (not covered by smaller wood pulls).
IF authentic 18th century pulls, they have a good value in themselves.
scott
One final note-- the style of the chest itself is not Chippendale (though replaced pulls are suggestive of that style).
To me it is transitional-- some features of the early 19th century Federal style, but moving toward the Empire period.
scott
I understand, thank you for the help. I will change the titles as well.
I just have trouble believing that 18th century pulls would be attached with Phillips head screws...lol. take care!
I have to agree with scottvez right down the line.
thanks for the comment and love fhrjr,
Nice piece I would keep it in my place also if I had the room