Author Topic: Mystery Cabinet... Feathered Hat Detail, Old Screws, Remnants of Christmas Print  (Read 3481 times)

jlharm4

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Hello, everyone!

I have recently acquired an old cabinet, and while its original purpose was to be refinished because I was able to get it so cheap ($10), I have grown quite curious about it.

It has several unique features, and I have tried every known search phrase on google to find pieces with similar style, detail, features... but to no avail.  I am completely stumped on even how old it could be.

I'll try to attach pictures, but I'll also describe it the best I can just in case.  It's a wooden cabinet, approximately 6 to 6 1/2 feet tall, including the legs and the part of the back that extends above thew top of the actual cabinet.  There is a door in the front that is glass framed in wood, with what appears to be the original clasp and hinges.  The legs were approximately 4-6" tall, but made into the sides of the cabinet (not cut from a separate piece of wood).

It has 3 shelves inside, but a lot of the hardware that originally held them in place is gone and has been replaced by pieces throughout the years.  Above the top of the cabinet (outside the area encompassed by the door), there is a separate little shelf that extends to the upper right.  Behind this shelf, the wood is carved into what I'm guessing is a feathered hat design.

In the research that I've tried to do to learn about this piece, I examined the screws in the hinges and clasp mechanism, and the slots appear to be visibly off center in some.  Hopefully someone with more experience than me can look at the pictures and get more information.

Lastly, one of the shelves has a remant of a print on it.  I don't know if the print was on paper and then glued to the shelf, if it was original or added later.  There isn't much left of whatever it was, but it has a girl in a bonnet, along with some reindeer and the letters "Chr", so I'm guessing something to do with Christmas?  The picture itself looks pretty old school, but I know that could just be a reproduction of an old drawing.  It looks like some (or all) of the other shelves may have had something on them as well, but it is too far gone to tell what it might have been.

Absolutely any and all help, thoughts, or information would be appreciated on this piece.  I am an antique novice, and have been absolutely fruitless in internet searches for clues.  Right now the plans are to refinish the outside and replace the unstable legs, and then use it in my living room for display.  It has definitely piqued my interest, and I'd love to know more about what we're working with!  Thanks in advance!

Rauville

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Are there any indications of this being attached to another part of furniture? It has the appearance of the china half of a golden oak "combination / secretary" with the desk portion removed.

jlharm4

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Thanks for the reply!  There are no signs that I can tell on the outside of the cabinet, it is in rough shape in general, but I didn't see any places where hardware would've attached another piece to it.  I'm going to attach a picture of the back as well, I'm such a novice I can't even tell if this is one piece of thin wood that has cracked, or several pieces of wood put together to form the back panel.

bigwull

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how thick is that backboard..it looks to be one piece...but..it also looks to be very thin...judging from the lines on it
I make no excuses,and no apologies....but i like a good Malt,

jlharm4

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It is very thin, I would estimate less than 1/4" for sure.  After the first reply, I tailored my searching a bit and found this piece on ebay that at least has some similar features:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-SIDE-SIDE-GOLDEN-OAK-CABINET-SECRETARY-DESK-/220994442986?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item33744b96ea

bigwull

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It would appear to me that Rauville has done it again...by hitting the nail on the head...and by doing so..it makes what you have..worth very little...as it is only one half of a piece of furniture..that for whatever reason has been seperated from the original..
I make no excuses,and no apologies....but i like a good Malt,

jlharm4

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Hahaha, I believe I agree with you.  I'm looking for more information now, as far as the time frame goes, how old would you say this is?  I have found quite a few similar cabinets that say "Victorian" or "Mission" era.

By the way, that also explains why the legs on the right side were replaced... because they were never there!  :)

ghopper1924

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Looks like 1900-15.
"I collect antiques because they're beautiful."

-Broderick Crawford

jlharm4

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Thank you so much for all the information!

Two more random questions that I'm curious about with this piece, if anybody has any insight that would help my research that would be awesome:

1. Do you think the print was original to the piece?  Or is it possible that it just got stuck on there at some point?  After learning the timeframe of the piece itself, the artwork looks to be of the same era.

2. What is the purpose of the little shelf extending from the top?  I've noticed a similar shelf on other secretary side-by-sides online, but can't seem to find a good source on it's actual purpose.

Thanks again!

mart

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I agree with everyone on this !!  The little shelf had no particular purpose that I have ever heard of except to sit little bric a brac on !!  Many of them had a shelf like this !! Uusually wound up with a little ceramic or porcelain item sitting there !!

cogar

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The miss-matched shape of the top ....... and the shelf, .... is what made me think it was a "side-piece".

KC

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People seem to forget (as we are on our electric typewriters) they often made places for candles to reside!

Please post a pic of the other side of the cabinet. Does it appear it was ever attached to anything before?  I agree that it looks like it is half of an original piece...but something is gnawing at me.....   Ooops see that you answered it doesn't appear it was attached...but please post a pic of it.

Also, please post a pic of the feet.

Does it appear there were shelves inside at one time or had a hanging bar at the top (or side hangers).
« Last Edit: December 09, 2012, 11:31:26 am by KC »
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

cogar

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Quote
People seem to forget (as we are on our electric typewriters) they often made places for candles to reside!

Right, KC, or kerosene lamps.

All the old "pump" organs had one on each side. The organist had to be able to read the "music" to be able to play it.