Chest

[ipsilateral]

Hey guys, need a little help with an iron strapped wooden chest. Trying to determine age and function. Wood seems to be hard with an unusual grain. Straps/hinges/handles look hand forged. Handles on sides are affixed with flathead screws. There is an unusual wooden wing on the back that must have some function in shipping(?). What is it? A strongbox? A shipping box? Any idea on the age based on hardware or styling? Measurements are metric. Approximately: 26" x 17.5" x 17".

Thanks! Nate

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Family Maps of Hinds County, Mississippi, Deluxe Edition - Grab it through Amazon!

[mavrick03]

It reminds me of an old stagecoach trunk or flat top steamer trunk

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You may be able to date it by the dovetailed corners.

 

[jadewhiskey]

No clue - but, I love it... I love old chests....

 

[sniffer]

if you look at the pic with the handle, it looks more like oak. you can see the open grain pattern where the stain penetrated deeper.
with the hasp for a lock, and the simple styling without any fancy scroll or leather straps or detailing, I'd lean towards maybe a toolbox. JMO

 

[htrdsx]

The wing on the back of the chest probably is there to hold the lid from swinging all the way back. Also I know screws have been around a lot longer than the 1900s so I googled the history of screws and found this:
"Mass Production of Screws
In 1770, English instrument maker, Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) invented the first satisfactory screw-cutting lathe. Ramsden inspired other inventors. In 1797, Englishmen, Henry Maudslay (1771-1831) invented a large screw-cutting lathe that made it possible to mass-produce accurately sized screws. In 1798, American David Wilkinson also invented machinery for the mass production of threaded metal screws."
It's a nice looking chest no matter what or how old it is.
GaryB

 

[ipsilateral]

Thanks, guys. I would definitely be excited if someone recognized the design. I appreciate the comments so far. I forgot to mention that the measurements seem to be metric. The metal bar that crosses near the latch in the pictures covers a knothole in the wood-- kind of like a patch. I just can't find other examples with this hand forged hardware and bracing.

 

[sniffer]

it may have been home made for a specific use

 

[BosnMate]

I have a box something like the one pictured. Mine was used to deliver bottled beer to bars. They would leave the beer out side the bar before it opened, and the box was locked so that it wouldn't be pilfered. I'm not a screw expert, but I own some antique rifles, and with rifles made in the 1700's and early 1800's the gunsmith had to file out each screw, and no two were the same. Eli Whitney was the guy that invented interchangeable parts, and that was sometime in the early 1800's, and he sold his novel idea to the military by manufacturing some rifles, then taking them all apart in a bucket, the reassemble them in front of a bunch of Generals, who thought it was a good idea.

 

[ipsilateral]

Big Cy, do you know anything more about dovetails? I'd be interested to hear about that.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Big Cy, do you know anything more about dovetails? I'd be interested to hear about that.

Im sorry ipsi I missed this question.


There are ways to date antique furniture by the dovetailed corners or if its hand cut or not but I do not know or remember how to do it. If anybody knows please post so we can learn.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Can we see close up pics of the corners?

Here are a few links I found.
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/how-to-identify-antique-wooden-furniture-for-refinishing.htm

http://www.harpgallery.com/library/dovetails.htm

 

[Buck Bagaw]

!8th century, wood is probably teak from grain and patina. Possibly/probably a personal effects chest of a seafaring man.

 

[Breezie]

This is an excellent antique chest! I would date it around the early 1800's. The early 1800's trunks/chest that were made in Mexico had similar iron straps and that type of dove tailing. It looks very Mexican Colonial to me. Super trunk! Breezie

 

[ipsilateral]

@texastee2007 - I don't think there is a false bottom. Seems like a simple plank bottom. One of the planks has unfortunately been replaced. The whole thing sits on wood skids.

@Buckbagaw - I too feel it may be a tropical hardwood like teak rather than oak or pine as some have suggested.

@Breezie - Thanks for the tip on Mexican. I will start looking at those to try and find a comp.

@bigcy - Pics added of dovetails.

 

[Breezie]

After seeing a close up of the dovetails, I'm even more convinced it is Colonial Mexican. Check out these trunks:

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1316675

http://californiauctioneers.com/California Furn pottery/ (row 7 and 8

http://www.ritualsdecor.com/index.p...ategory=Accessories&sub_category=Keepsake Box (last one listed)

Breezie

 

[ipsilateral]

Damn, Breezie. I believe you are correct. How in the world did you recognize that? I can't tell you how many trunks I looked at without finding a similar example..Such a pleasure working on things with you. Thanks for putting me out of my misery. I am satisfied that this piece has been identified. Thanks for everyone who helped.

Wish they pre-packed these chests with treasure, but I guess that's my job.

 

[Breezie]

Damn, Breezie. I believe you are correct. How in the world did you recognize that? I can't tell you how many trunks I looked at without finding a similar example..Such a pleasure working on things with you. Thanks for putting me out of my misery. I am satisfied that this piece has been identified. Thanks for everyone who helped.

Wish they pre-packed these chests with treasure, but I guess that's my job.

Ipsilateral, I recognized the trunk cause I've been buying/selling antiques for over 40 yrs., plus I blame my Momma for raising me in a museum! LOL Actually the dovetails & iron slats gave it away.

You're welcome, and thank you for the kind words. I enjoy solving mysteries with you too. Next! Breezie

 

[Dig em all]

Damn, Breezie. I believe you are correct. How in the world did you recognize that? I can't tell you how many trunks I looked at without finding a similar example..Such a pleasure working on things with you. Thanks for putting me out of my misery. I am satisfied that this piece has been identified. Thanks for everyone who helped.

Wish they pre-packed these chests with treasure, but I guess that's my job.

Ipsilateral, I recognized the trunk cause I've been buying/selling antiques for over 40 yrs., plus I blame my Momma for raising me in a museum! LOL Actually the dovetails & iron slats gave it away.

You're welcome, and thank you for the kind words. I enjoy solving mysteries with you too. Next! Breezie

Breezie is the BEST! and I love the trunk reminds me of the tool box I had to make in carpentry class in 1979 dovetail joints by hand!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I hate to disagree but its very hard to tell because I can only see 2 of the dovetails in your pic, one is under the metal, but they look symetrical to me, machine cut and evenly spaced, not chiseled by hand, but its hard to tell without seeing the entire edge.

Compare the dovetails with this beautiful hardwood chest I found yesterday in the trash. Its from about 1940-50. Value about $200 BTW.