Posted 9 years ago
BHock45
(807 items)
I found this today at a local antique store. They had just gotten it in. I have only seen chests like this in books. This is clearly a very old chest. Dovetailed, early wrought hinges, and built with hand-cut wooden pins. So the question now is, to what degree is this original, and where is it from? Looks like there may have been legs, as there are pegs in all four corners closing up holes. There are a few little fixes as you can see in picture three. Hardware looks original with rosehead nails and butterfly clasp handles.
As far as origin....I can only pray it is American. The wooden pins have me a bit worried, but it looks to be in built primarily of pine.
I am really looking for opinions, I have a feeling this could be a remarkable find, as long as it hasn't been destroyed by wrongful repairs. I was busy today so I didn't get to really fully inspect the piece....It is dirty, smelly, buggy, and old. Thanks for looking!
vetraio, kyratango, forapache, and violetorange thanks for the loves!
mikelv thanks for the love
agram.m thanks for the love! Hope you are doing well!
I can't bring the front or side pictures ( #1 & 2 ) in close enough to see them well. Old eyes do that to you. I would venture to say the front was added on. Someone made a fairly good attempt at dovetailing this then the plinth blocks look like they were done in a butcher shop. It strikes me that two different people had a hand in this. It may well be original but I doubt the same person did the entire thing. My 2 cents.
I don't like it nor do I see a lot of age on it as a complete chest.
The wood does show age-- worm holes and water damage, but the locations are odd. Why would there be water damage on the interior back panel, bottom and around the hinges? What does the bottom look like from the exterior?
I would expect one piece panels as opposed to the two pieces used on every side and multiple board top.
Interior coloration is not consistent throughout and the exterior patina looks applied.
It just doesn't add up to me. To me, it looks like a creation from older pieces of wood.
I hope that I am wrong on this, but too many oddities from my perspective.
scott
I was putting off saying it but Scott did. The first thing that caught my eye was the location of the handle on a two piece side. Rule of thumb is 2/3rds of the way up from the bottom. Location of the handle on this will split out the wood with little or no weight. The material used is certainly old but the question is how original is the item. The multi piece top is questionable but not totally unheard of. The attempt to trim the top is certainly a sight to behold. I did enlarge that picture as best I could. The center stile appears to have a three bead design which doesn't match the side stiles or the rails. The center stile is also coped to fit (kind of fit). The front and rear rails appear to be common spruce strapping.
I guess I would have to go along with Scott when he said, it looks like a creation from older pieces of wood. That was my first impression but thought I might be seeing things with old eyes that others didn't actually see.
thank you fhr and scottvez, you both are correct...sad to admit but true. I was able to look more closely today and after reading your comments I have to admit I was burned on this one.
There are multiple boards on the top, and most likely the sides...I looked using a 10X loupe. The wooden pegs I assume were used because they couldn't find period nails. I do agree that some of the pieces of wood used may have some age. Hard to swallow but I guess this is just one of the those learning experiences. Thanks guys!
They say there is one born every minute, advertise it as a New Old trunk. You wouldn't be telling a lie and someone will love it. Make the best of it and I am sure you can find a new owner that will love it.
Sounds like it was misrepresented by the seller (and not necessarily intentional).
May want to go back to the seller and ask for a refund. Show them the issues-- in my experience MANY dealers will do the right thing and just don't know better.
Other option is to sell as a decorator piece. On cursory view it certainly "looks the part" and many folks would love this in their house.
scott
Hey guys thanks for the advice, I was thinking of doing something similar or just keeping it in the shed as a tool box. Scottvez, the seller didn't misrepresent it, I only paid $25.00 for it. I saw it and jumped the gun without doing the research. My problem is when I see something that I think COULD BE a great deal I can be a huge sucker. Other than this I have had really great luck lately....haha.
I think you'd get several times that from a decorator!
While it wasn't what you originally thought, I wouldn't call you a sucker on this buy.
Good luck!
scott
Yeah Scott, thanks man. Maybe I will try to get someone to bite on c-list. If not, it will serve as good kindling for a few weeks, lol. I found a cool bottle today I am going to post it later tonight. Talk to you later.
Even with the issues at hand.... it is still a nice chest and a deal at that price! When a price is low like that I'd jump first too... and have come to think of it... A lick of natural stain would really make it pop.
It gives me the impression someone repurposed an old cabinet or cupboard and made a quilt chest.