Continental 18th Century cabinet on stand. This appears to be made of oak or walnut with a very dark stain. The cabinet consists of four small drawers positioned vertically in the center of the cabinet with two cabinet doors, one on each side of the four drawers. The hardware is very unique. The drawers each of a flattened metal pull to open them. The pulls are fastened to the drawers through a small hole with a flattened piece of steel, looped through the hole and spread out on the inside of the drawer (see photo). The cabinet doors have a knob, which you move away from the drawers to unlatch and then pull to open. Hardware appears very old as does the wood itself. The joints of the drawers are not traditional dovetail, but there is a small joint at top, then a large dovetail type joint of the side piece of the drawer, and then another small piece from the drawer front. There appear to be no nails used in making this cabinet, only square wooden pegs. The cabinet sits on a matching stand which also has one drawer the entire width of the stand and four legs with bracing between them. This is very sturdy and solidly made. The inside of the cabinet doors appears to have the same molding design as on the outside. There are various small dings, nicks, etc. There are no identifying marks on either piece. Both are very heavy and solid. When removing the drawers, some of the bottoms have cracks and separation. The joints of the drawers are not smooth, but rough where the pieces meet.
The hinges of the doors are very uniqe and look old. On the inside, these are attached with two flat-head screws to both the cabinet and the door itself. I was initially concerned about the flathead screws, but have since found that screws began to be produced in the US around 1760. There is a single wooden shelf in the center of each cabinet behind each door held up with a wood brace on each side.
This is an attractive piece and was purchased in an antique store, purported to be 18th century? The antique dealer said he purchased this from an estate of a very old tudor mansion in the Chicago area.
I submitted this for the cash appraisal, but Instapraisal was unable to provide an appraisal, and converted back to a standard appraisal. I'm interested not only in the value, but the actual age of the piece. Is there any way to accurately determine if this was made in the 1700's and what it may have been used for?
Re: American 18th Century Apothecary cabinet?
Can anyone help with this item? Posted several weeks ago, possibly some of you may have missed this posting. It's a very unique item. Please take a look at the detailed photos.
Thanks,
Cyberhusky
Re: American 18th Century Apothecary cabinet?
Simpler country furniture often had larger dovetails, or even a single tail and pin. country cupboard from the 1890's has big country dovetails: This is a tuff one, one part of me thinks this a bad fake, made to look old. some parts look right.. Like no ware on the drawers? no air gaps, door worn on the top of the door? color is the same all over, not like it was used and people moved the parts back and forth..wish I could see how the drawer pulls are attached. I'm just not sure, wish I could touch it.. close your eyes and rub the dovetails, see if you can feel the srinkage of the wood. it should not be level, or smooth. Take a look at other Country Furniture. Good Luck...
"Note" I do not claim to be an expert:
Re: American 18th Century Apothecary cabinet?
Ok, I pulled the drawers out and took some additional pictures of the dovetails on both front and back. They are definitely not smooth. One drawer has a crack in the bottom. The pulls seem to be attached with a strap that goes through the front of the drawer and folds back behind the front of the drawer, so it looks like a cotter pin, only flat. There is a picture attached of this too. When I look on the inside of the cabinet after pulling out the drawers, I can see an area where there appears to be no or little stain, perhaps the cabinet was re-stained at a later time, but does not look like it was done anytime recently. I'm not sure how I attach new photos, I'll save after entering text and then attempt to edit the post and add the new pictures. Thanks for looking and responding Phoenixguy
Re: American 18th Century Apothecary cabinet?
thanks for the new photos well done.. Have you ever heard the phrase "Road hard and put away wet?"
this looks like that, but when something is so uniformed that everything looks like its old. makes me think someone made it to look old. You can't fake old cracked wood, so it is old. but I think it would be worth the $$ to have one of the Instappraisal guys look at this.. Good Luck.
again I do not claim to be an expert. ( you might learn a turm "BenchMade" )
Re: American 18th Century Chest on Stand
i took some additonal photos of this cabinet and stand. Upon closer inspection of the back and bottom of the pieces, I was able to find an old paper card with a number on it of 13577 (see photo) There is also a number in some type of colored or wax pencil which reads 9328. I've also attached a photo of the back of the cabinet and the bottom of the stand as well as one of the legs witch a deep crack in the leg.
With these numbers on the piece, that leads me to believe that this was not a single handmade piece of furniture, but produced in some quantity possibly. I'm also curious to know what this cabinet was used for. Was this used as a kitchen cupboard or cabinet?
I've submitted payment twice for Instappraisal to provide an appraisal, but it keeps expiring with no appraisal or commnents at all. Any more ideas PhoenixGuy or Lovejoy?
Re: American 18th Century Chest on Stand
https://www.etsy.com/listing/176885095/pr-vintage-forged-iron-armoire-d…
take a look at the hindges here.. Also look up.Simple Victorian Steeple Tip Hinges
Rustic Iron Door Pulls Drawer-Ring Old Mexican-Hardware-Primitive
Most local blacksmiths made nails. Thomas Jefferson, a true Renaissance man, made nails on his plantation. Until the very end of the 1700's, most nails in better furniture had a head that was rose-cut or faceted like an old miner's cut diamond. Here are examples of hand-forged nails with tapered square shafts and hand-hammered heads from the 1700's:
http://www.harpgallery.com/library/nails.htm
Ok. Here is what I found that might help you out. so many things about this makes me think it's Mexico made..(drawer pulls) then hendges make me think Victorian, then dovetails say another style..wood says something also.. If you look at the hole in the Pull, it looks like it cut perfect with a drill bit? ..(pulling on hair now) humor... Now where was this used? I think the kitchen, because the pulls look like spoons..just a thought...Numbers are the 1800s style. I just Do Not know what you have.... If you havent heard from the guys on this site, I wonder if they are also looking it up, and have not replyed because they are pulling their hair also....Good Luck.
Re: American 18th Century Chest on Stand
Some pieces really need a physical, but the fact oak has been used in the drawer sides indicates it is not American.