Identity Unknown (Furniture origin)

[AmberS]

I wish I could, but I have no keys yet. Judging by the outside of the lock, these skeleton keys are going to be monsters. Just hope they don't cost me a fortune to get made.

And thanks for the value estimates, I was hoping I got a fair deal. I have a couple of other items I'm going to be asking about that I came across around the same time that I got the cabinet. I'll put them on a separate question because they are totally unrelated (not furniture). It's funny how I stumbled across these things when I wasn't really looking for them.

I'm wondering now if there are any good antique shows/sales near me that aren't in the dog days of summer...y'all know of any? I'd like to go to one and just look around. Anything within four or five hours drive would be good...I can get to San Antonio in five hours, or maybe Tulsa, or Bossier City.

[jacon4]

Judging by the outside of the lock, these skeleton keys are going to be monsters. Just hope they don't cost me a fortune to get made.

Hmmmm, you might consider just disable the locks if the keys cost a lot.

[Rauville]

"I'm wondering now if there are any good antique shows/sales near me that aren't in the dog days of summer...y'all know of any?"

I believe the Roundtop shows are starting this month.

[ghopper1924]

Love that Aubrey from 1490.

[mart]

Go to a few antique shops in  your area or look on ebey !!  Will not be difficult to find a skeleton key that will work !!  Don`t discount the "not so big" keys !!  You just need one that will turn the tumbler !!

[AmberS]

Your house is big enough to make a perfect setting for the cupboard, which regardless of age or origin will be the only one in the neighborhood I bet. It reminds me almost of a vestry from a church?

Here's a seller from overseas that carries interesting pieces: http://www.bae.be/inventory/individual-items

Yes, I think I have the only one in the neighborhood! I just love it! Never been this excited about furniture before!

[AmberS]

Go to a few antique shops in  your area or look on ebey !!  Will not be difficult to find a skeleton key that will work !!  Don`t discount the "not so big" keys !!  You just need one that will turn the tumbler !!

Really? Heck, my mom has a few skeleton keys on a ring at her house. Might try those out just for fun. Wouldn't that be crazy if she had a key already that would fit?

[KC]

Hi All!
Just now getting in on this.  Been in Israel, Palestine, etc for a couple of weeks.  Internet was few and far between and was "banned" from the site (most likely due to foreign computers!) 

My first impression is Dutch from all the cabinets I have seen through the years.

Harris Antiques in Fort Worth used to import boatload containers full of items like this in the 70's until the 90's when they closed up shop here.  (Much to my dismay but they were to retire!) They were a reputable family run company that started small in Arlington, TX, expanded to a mid size location on E Loop 820 and then purchased an entire shopping center/mall in S Fort Worth on Scott Street off of I30 that they filled with originals, knockoffs, Foreign and American made.  Mr. Harris wasn't wanting to give it all up (I think she was) and opened a "smaller" Barn location in Hillsborough so he could still stay busy in retirement (It is closed now).  I bought my prized French Side Board from them during the Going Out Of Business Sale (I had watched this piece for a couple of years $11K and got it for under $2K because they didn't want to move it - it is now appraised for over $17K)

Can you take a picture of the inside? and back?

[jacon4]

My first impression is Dutch from all the cabinets I have seen through the years.

Yes, it could very well be, Gothic revival was big there, also in Belgium & France, thing is, i would be surprised if american.

[cogar]

used to import boatload containers full of items like this in the 70's until the 90's

HA, …. that was my 1st thought …… but I didn't say anything.

[AmberS]

Can you take a picture of the inside? and back?

The cabinet is locked, so no photos of inside until I solve that. Will take photos of back when I have help to move it, but there may not be enough space left to post them. Going to go look at some Dutch cabinets now!

[KC]

AmberS, you can get more pictures on here when you post a reply (like I am doing now.)  You are limited in size each time. 

Not saying that Harris was/is the only source in our area (I am in the DFW area as well) but they sure brought majority of antiques to this area. 

[jacon4]

used to import boatload containers full of items like this in the 70's until the 90's

Agrees, ditto on east coast from 1960s-1980s
Prime container goods from europe, almost or just antique, looks ancient, exotic, not american looking, bla bla bla

[mart]

Yes they did,, I bought a lot of those when I had my shop !! Davis antiques in Sulphur Springs literally had piles of them !!  They had a good size operation and dip stripped many pieces !!  I bought before they did that !!  Even if I had to do a little more work mine were the better items for sale !!  This was 70`s through the 80`s !! Most of what they had was from England so I got an education on English Furniture !!  But what teed me off was the dealers in my area that passed these off as American !!  Only one that did not was a lady from Germany !!  She imported from Germany and surrounding area !!

[KC]

AmberS, there are so many locksmiths in the FW area that are able to reproduce Skeleton Keys and fit your locks.  Just have to inquire with reputable ones and check out the pricing.  Most will want to come to your location since you can't open your cabinet.  (I have had to have some made for antique pieces and was able to take the door in for them to make one - much cheaper than a house call.)  Ask for ALL COSTS! 
Also, hopefully all of your locks are keyed for the same key!  My large pieces typically have been keyed for one key to top sections, one key to bottom sections and if there are drawers a different one for that.  Although a great security precaution, it can get costly depending on who you get to rekey. (Note:  I didn't key them this way - it was they way they originally came!)