Carved Wooden Hutch -- Looking for some Guidance!

[alex.macfaddster]

Hi All,

I recently purchased an older home (built in the mid 1950's) in Toronto (Ontario, Canada), and found this unique piece inside the garage (stacked in the corner).  The wood is pretty dried out and is brittle, but the carvings appear to be very detailed.  I have tried to post some photos below.  There are also 4 cabinet doors that have clear glass inside them, as well as a back piece.  Unfortunately I cannot post more than 4 photos

To me, it looks much older than the home and does not appear native to my area.  I personally haven't seen anything like this.

Any information or suggestions as to where it is from/time period would help!

I was wondering if something like this would be worth restoring?

I am trying to get in touch with some local antique dealers/appraisers to try and find out some details.  Any suggestions for people in the Toronto area?

There is a little note that appears to be Italian and I am working on trying to get it translated.

Thank-you very much in advance for the help!

[mart]

Without any further research,,yes I would certainly restore it !!  Can you get a good clear pic of the note and post it ??

[bigwull]

i,d say this is Gothic...in fact it reminds me of a funeral piece.....

[KC]

It has alot of the carvings of the green man on it!!!!  Can you post better closeups of the figures.  Italian renaissance pieces tend to have "green man", female griffins, etc on them. 

Looks like a really old piece.  I would restore it, no questions asked!  BUT lets figure out what it is.

[alex.macfaddster]

Hi All, thanks for the feedback.  Here is a photo of the note and of the doors.

The note may not be anything special/original to the piece, but you never know!  It is located on the top side of the base (you can see it in the overall picture).  It looks pretty old also.

[KC]

Does the glass appear clear or "wavy" and uneven in appearance.  The later would indicate age as well.

This style was also popular during Victorian times!!!!

I would take a soft bristle brush (like a paint brush) and brush it off to get a better look at the details.

[alex.macfaddster]

Hi KC, the glass appears pretty clear.

Here are some photos of the carvings up close.  I also puled out the drawers and took a photo of the "inside" --- it looks a lot newer, but I do not know much about how antiques are supposed to look inside :S --- there are numbers on the pieces that I am assuming were for assembly.

I also checked underneath and cannot find any carvings/markings.

The carvings look hand done to me --- there are little indents all around each carving (as you can see in the photo).

[alex.macfaddster]

More Carvings

[mart]

It appears Italian Renaissance  !!

[alex.macfaddster]

More Carvings 2

[alex.macfaddster]

Carvings 3

[mart]

It will take all night for this many pics !!  And at this size !!  Can`t help if we can`t see !!

[fancypants]

I'd suggest that you give it a really good dusting & since you've mentioned that the wood is dry & brittle ... you might consider (asap) giving your rather massive item a really good oiling & wipe-down afterwards .

If your piece , when fully assembled , will fit inside your house , then there's that option ... if not ..... .

If your piece is really quite fragile ..... there may be issues (insects/rot/fungus,etc.) that may make you reconsider restoration &/or bringing it into your home (hope that this is not so , but just sayin') !

Looks like an antique 'keeper' , but you might want to check with the previous owner (you don't want to have to give it back to them restored , do you ?) just to make sure .
 

[alex.macfaddster]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

A few more things I am lookong for your opinions on:

1.  Any ideas about the potential value --- both as-is and restoed?

2.  Any ideas about the cost to restore?

I ultimately would like to incorporate it into my home.  Just unsure whether the resotration cost/value would outweih the item's worth.

Thanks in advance.

[KC]

Too hard to answer that because you stated there were wood conditions.  Only a hands-on inspection could truly answer that for me.