You might recall that more than two and a half years ago I posted about getting a very old, wooden sink that was apparently from a Chinese Laundry, definitely from San Jose CA. It had been in my friend's carriage house and basement for the last 100 years or so. I went over to get it once and we were only able to get it part way out of the basement, without having to move a whole lot of her things. Well, I picked it up today. Here it is.
It is really old. The redwood boards are all milled with straight cuts, so I think that is going to date it to pre-1870 when circular saws became commonly used. Since it is California, most likely that would me 1849/gold rush to 1870s. The original hardware is there and it's all iron, a magent sticks and they are individually slotted. Brass or copper drain inserts, old stopper chains are still there.
From what I have read, only Chinese laborers did laundry early on. White people considered it beneath them. There are no markings to confirm that, but there are some photos and drawings here of other Chinese sinks that look very similar this sink. Here's one:
It is huge. Eight feet long. However I do have a good place for it. But I'm trying not to get attached to it just yet. I'm checking to see if the Chinese historical group at History Park would like to have it to display in their building. These are so rare to have survived and it really gives you a sense of what working in a laundry might have been like, scrubbing shirts for hours on end. If there is a place that would actively display it, I will donate it. I have an inquiry out now, through the city historian.
There are some condition issues. The dividers between the sinks have rot. There is a split in the front center leg that has been reglued. None of these affect the stability. It is what it is and it really does have a impact when you see the real deal like this.
The fabled Chinese laundry sink in my yard at last!
Note the rot
Drain inserts are brass or copper.
Drain stopper chain. This one is fully intact, the other two are just a few inches
Split in front center leg, does not affect stability. Just cosmetic.
Examples of straight saw marks:
