Author Topic: Old wood box ?  (Read 2737 times)

OLDZ06

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Old wood box ?
« on: November 27, 2010, 01:12:05 pm »
You have any idea what this was used for ? It looks pretty old by the hardware. It is dovetailed. Kind of reddish in color. I don't think it is american in origin and I have no idea of its age. Its around 17' long and 8 high by 11 deep. Its my mystery box.







jacon4

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2010, 01:22:34 pm »
guesses document box, last half 19th century

OLDZ06

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2010, 01:32:17 pm »
ever seen hardware like that ? I can not place it. It was bought at an auction years ago.

jacon4

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2010, 01:49:45 pm »
No, sorry, has not. Neat hardware though, the side handles look like a victorian version of hepplewhite pulls, only much more delicate.

talesofthesevenseas

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2010, 02:30:52 pm »
It is Chinese.  :) Your hardware typical of old Chinese box hardware. Compare it to the reproduction hardware available here:

http://www.chinesebrasshardware.com/Box%20Hardware/



« Last Edit: November 27, 2010, 02:36:28 pm by talesofthesevenseas »
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OLDZ06

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2010, 02:42:20 pm »
Yep that is it. Its a treasure box for valuables/papers. I got no treasures inside mine though. :( It was empty when I got it. Wonder what something like this would sell for on the big auction site. Less then 50 bucks I'm guessing.

jacon4

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2010, 02:45:09 pm »
Yep, agrees, and there you go, chinese.

talesofthesevenseas

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2010, 08:24:04 pm »
My concern about this box though is that it has dovetailing, and I think that would indicate that it is not terribly old, I THINK but can't say for sure that it is usually seen on later pieces, as I think it was more of a western influence. But I don't know that for sure. I do know that that mortise and tenon joinery was more common on the old pieces. These guys can tell you more and this info is probably in one of their videos. John and Eugene are terrific guys and they've helped me identify a couple of my Chinese pieces. I would suggest looking at a few of thier videos to see what you can find out first, then drop them an email.
http://www.chineseantiquefurnitureshop.com/videos.html
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waywardangler

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2010, 11:32:33 pm »
I think in order to really determine the country of origin, you would have to identify the wood used.  JMO

OLDZ06

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Re: Old wood box ?
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2010, 04:29:13 pm »
It weighs almost nothing. Im 99.9999 it is chinese, I have seen some now after I found out about the hardware.  now age is a  whole different story.