Posted 9 years ago
VeniVidiVi…
(1 item)
I have a VERY old (age unknown) what looks like a Smokers box or pipe stand with two drawers side by side. It's really quiet rustic or western looking. It's in excellent condition structure wise, but it has hundreds of worm holes and some minor splitting on the bottom of the drawer due to age I assume. The unique thing that caught my interest is it is stamped "Chapman Made in Italy", TWICE (as if the maker didn't press hard enough the first time). I picked it up at a thrift store for $2. I did a little looking online but can not find any makers by Chapman of Tobacciana only a lamp maker. I did find and read a story on an artist from the USA named Conrad Wise- Chapman who in the 19th Century did in fact travel from the US during the Civil War to Italy to study and become one of the great painters like the old masters, but failed. The odd thing is, my last name is Wise, and I had a great great grandfather named Conrad. It's strange that for what ever reason, I feel sort of connected to the box in a way...and I am not into antique tobacciana or pipes. I am also an artist, which was the profession of Conrad also. Any information you can provide as to the origins, even the year approximately etc. I am happy I found this box and if you would like a picture, please call me or send me an email and I will gladly send you one. I've taken at least 30 or so. Thank you!!