Posted 8 years ago
bceverson
(1 item)
Hi Everybody,
My wife and I recently came across this rather large chest and I really like it. However, it's not necessarily cheap and I don't know anything about old chests and trunks. Before we make a decision, we'd like to learn more about it as the consignment store doesn't have hard facts or documentation.
Specs:
- 27.5" tall x 51.5" wide x 27.5" deep
- Wood and iron - doesn't appear to have ever been wrapped in leather, fabric or anything else decorative or protective
- 3 hanging latches for padlock style locking mechanism
- Stud attached to the lid of the chest which is intended to interact with a locking mechanism that uses a key on the front of the chest.
- doesn't appear to be a dove tail construction, has a 45 degree angle in the corners
- no handles on the sides
- one side has some greenish paint on it, not pictured
Some questions that I have:
- Is it really old or authentic? It certainly looks old and from what I can tell, the metallurgic construction methods appear to be from hand crafted times.
- Based off of materials and styling, where would something like this have been made?
- If authentic, how would this larger sized chest be used. I don't see anybody tossing it around while traveling.
- Can anybody recommend an appraiser who could tell me how much is too much for a piece like this.
Thank you, I really look forward to hearing your thoughts!
I have seen many chests like these over recent years - most are coming out of Indonesia... they are new made to look old not necessarily to fool the market but rather as a look that sells. This one looks to be of this nature so I would be very cautious in thinking it is antique because in my opinion it probably isn't. Not to say it isn't a nice chest in its own right... look up Indonesian chests or dowry chests and you will most likely see some similar . Hope this helps...
Ps. A telltale sign that a piece is old is wear..that heavy lid with masive latches closing over 150 years would have worn down the interior lip.. this piece looks too consistent to have been used over a long period of time.
Pps. Another sign that it is a newer piece is that green paint on the side not pictured, which most likely was done with spray paint - I've definitely have seen this on these reproductions many times over...
Thank you trunkman for you assessment!