Posted 7 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
I have been cleaning the basement, and I removed this from storage under some shelves (for the last seven years, its held blankets and coats LOL).
One might say I've always been into antiques-- for this was the rocking crib my mother put me in when I was a child. It's been in our family for many decades, though the desire of my post is to have someone tell me exactly when it is from.
Interestingly, the same day I took these photos, I also found a floppy disc with a note attached. Apparently, while we were financially ruined years ago, my mother had tried to consign this and a few other items to a major auction-house. The note said they declined, and they called them decorator items. LOL.
While I understand why she tried selling them (we did lose pretty much everything of value-- family heirlooms notwithstanding-- during my childhood), I am glad the auction-house wasn't interested.
The crib is solid wood-- Maple, I think, due to its light weight and colour beneath the peeling varnish. It does have a bed with it, but I know that was replaced when I was born as my mother wanted me to have something sanitary and more comfortable. So, I don't know what the mattress was made of.
Interestingly, the lock-shaped pieces that mount the legs to the crib are not made of metal. I'm not sure what they're made of. It's dense and strong, but I am not willing to damage it to figure out if it's a wood-product or not.
Not much is put together with screws-- you see the big screw and wing-nut. There's only four of those. Then there are a few other visible screws. There's no glue that I can see, either, but I haven't tried pulling it apart to figure out how it is constructed in the sockets. (I'm not sure if it meets all of today's standards. LOL).
So, I am hoping someone can give me a reliable estimate of age. The style looks later Victorian, but, as we should all know, a style can be made any time after it first arose.
Is it a baby bed or a doll bed ? I can not imagine wing nuts on inside the cradle wow . There are some pieces that seem replaced but what a wonderful heirloom that you still have and it was saved for you to find again :-) love love
I have to agree with Manikin and add the framework is flimsy and unsafe for a human baby.
I too have always been into antiques. Didn't know at the time that my toys would soon be so valuable. I would have taken much better care of them.
This is really beautiful! Is that by chance a maple leaf? And only in recent years has there been laws regarding child safety, by recent I suppose I mean within the last 30 years or so. LOL! That's funny even if I do say so myself!
It also has a Philadelphia Dutch Folk Artsy feel to it. Interesting. I sorta think you're right about the era...it is a little confusing though. I'm also guessing but I think its a good sign that if Manikin is not sure if it's a dolls, I could almost positively then say it's not...she just knows everything about dolls, right?!? And you've got your hook that goes in the slot, upright just like they were in the 50's 60's and I am puzzled. Well, you're right for not taking it apart to see how it's made, if I didn't speak to soon! Do you know if the photo of this is on that disc? It could have just fallen in there and it wasn't included in the decor statement, ya know?
Manikin, it was the rocking crib my mother had me in when I was an infant. It's fairly large. It could hold a toddler in length, but he'd fall out of it due to its lower height; so it was meant only for new-borns. As for replacements, everything has the same varnish on it. And under the varnish is just bare wood, as is clear from how it peels to reveal the white colour of what I think is maple. Everything was finished back in the day, and there is no sign of other varnishes or stained in the crevices. So, I think it's all original.
fhrjr2, it held me just fine and is still intact. I know that it wouldn't be produced today for children, but back then who would regulate it?
FortApache, their value is high because people who played with them then now want those same child-hood memories back.
ShareUrPassion, yes, it is a maple-leaf pattern. Manikin should see my mother's doll-collection: Three totes worth of mid-century-1970s dolls including early Barbies.
Yes, it is on the disc. The cover over the disc tells of what is on it. But I didn't put the disc into a computer to look at it. As for the style, I'm not sure. It combines a few elements.
fabilus spiritbear my friend and to still have the crib really special love the acer maple carving
all the very best malkey 18.59 pm
Thank you, Malkey. I hope that you're feeling better.
yes indeed my friend spiritbear i am feeling better
19.50 pm
flashing posting
all the very best malkey
and the doctors and nurses are just super duper
I'm glad to read.
I tend to make my own medicine now-- more than just boilng herbs in water. I had to take up studying chemistry again. Hah hah.