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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: kidden6968 on September 22, 2012, 12:26:14 pm
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Think this might be the last one today but this neat wooden box has me stumped. If you lift the 2 lids, there are holes with glass inserts that appear to be candle holders one of which is chipped. One of them also slides out pretty easily. However, I can't imagine burning down a candle with the wooden lids. There is also no wax residue that I can see.
The lids appear to be maybe a dragon design? This measures 8 3/4" long at longest point, 4 " deep and 2 3/4" high. Weighs about 1 pound. Then there is the trench on top like a pencil holder?
Has me stumped.
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Not sure but I think you have a paint box !! Or more correctly ink !!
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As in those would be inkwells? Uncovered inkwells? New one on me. ;D
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An inkbox with inkwells and stylus holder. The winged beasts are probably gryphons/griffens.
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No !! Not like you are thinking !! There is an oriental art form (can`t remember the name) that uses an ink and water only !! One brush is used, and they can do the most intricate designs and artwork with these three things !! containers would be emptied, cleaned and replaced after using !! Brushes are either squirrel or sable, and are good size because the belly of the brush holds a lot of ink but tapers to the tiniest tip for fine lines !! Its amazing to see these artists at work !!
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I think you are right Mart. I did find boxes with the hinged lid and glass or ceramic "wells". Now I am trying to figure out how old this might be and if it would have been made in china or asian in general. Perhaps totally off base with country of origin.
I will probably list this and like to have as much information as possible. If anyone comes up with any other information, please let me know. I so appreciate you all :)
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Hinges and brads say it probably mid century or in that area !!
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Calligraphy.
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I don,t think this has anything to do with Chinese calligraphy...this is an inkwell...possibly a travelling one
see link...whilst the one in the link is not a travel one...you do get them..and this on here reminds me of treen ware
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-wooden-triple-inkwell-/110949559171?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PensPencils_WritingEquipment_SM&hash=item19d51beb83
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another one,...and i,m sure i,m correct with this one on here being treen...
see link...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTIQUE-ART-FOLK-XYLOGRAPHY-WOOD-TREEN-PEN-INK-INKWELL-/130400896435?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5c7fc5b3
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Aahaaa! Ok it does look like it fit with the treen pen inkwells. Ok so we know it is mid century due to hinges and brads. This would not be considered folk art would it? It does appear handmade. Any idea what type of wood?
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is it just me...or is there something missing from between the lids....the wood has the colour of teak..a pick of the underside may help as often was the case the underside was,nt varnished...and the grain may be better there..
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Sorry thought I did post this - but didn't LOL
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I agree it looks as thought something else should be in the middle - the wood is lighter in spots and then stained in the rest of the center. It also looks as though any varnish is worn off in that area but there is absolutely no residue of an adhesive - just as smooth as the rest of the box. I can't see any other indication something was attached there - unless something just sat on top unattached.
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i can,t get the pic to open up...maybe its just me...as its way past my bedtime...01.53am.. .
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Oh my - opening on my end - get some sleep LOL
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Oh my - opening on my end - get some sleep LOL
...where did a put that bloody bottle opener....hic...hic .... ;D..nightie night....i,m off to the land of nod
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Mart, are you thinking of Japanese-style sumi-e ink paintings? (There's a similar Chinese style, but I don't know the name.) That style uses ink in sticks, which are ground into powder and wetted on a inkstone as the artist works. If this set-up is like that, maybe the space in the center is for the inkstone? (Or else maybe for a small palette-dish. Or some sort of blotter paper?) (Or - hey! It's just about the right size for one of those well-known antique Post-It pads! ;) )
But the style doesn't seem Japanese at all to me. The griffin/birds reminds me a little of some stuff I've seen in Russian folk art. Could it be Central Asian or something?
(And is that a little duckie in the middle of the underside? Possibly a maker's mark?)
(edited for spelling - I must have had a little too much Maker's Mark... :) )
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Evelyn - I am not sure - have looked that spot over and over and now that you said "duckie" it actually does look like a little duck - hmmmmm - more google imaging for me LOL
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The definition of Duckie..over here is...."hello Duckie = darling, dear,.....to me it means quack, quack,..as for one on the bottom...i,d need specs as thick as milk bottle bottoms to see a duckie....on there.../.
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Are you sure it isn't a swan? The neck seems long.
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Are you sure it isn't a swan? The neck seems long.
swans ducks next you,ll be telling me it a ....... ;D
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Mart, are you thinking of Japanese-style sumi-e ink paintings? (There's a similar Chinese style, but I don't know the name.) That style uses ink in sticks, which are ground into powder and wetted on a inkstone as the artist works. If this set-up is like that, maybe the space in the center is for the inkstone? (Or else maybe for a small palette-dish. Or some sort of blotter paper?) (Or - hey! It's just about the right size for one of those well-known antique Post-It pads! ;) )
But the style doesn't seem Japanese at all to me. The griffin/birds reminds me a little of some stuff I've seen in Russian folk art. Could it be Central Asian or something?
(And is that a little duckie in the middle of the underside? Possibly a maker's mark?)
(edited for spelling - I must have had a little too much Maker's Mark... :) )
I can`t remember the name of the art form or what was used but I remember the brush used and it was a large one !! But they could do the finest tiny little lines with it !! It was all in how the brush was used !! It was fascinating !! It was taught in several places here so I don`t necessarily think the wood box is Chinese or Japanese at all !!
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I think I figured out what was missing from the center of this inkwell box.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLD-ANTIQUE-WOODEN-DOUBLE-INKWELL-PEN-AND-INK-BLOTTER-PRESS-ROLLER-/221121924752?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337be4ce90
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Good catch, Kidden!
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And it would explain the staining in that area as well as the varnish being rubbed off there. I am a little obsessive and keep looking until I have a good explanation or description LOL ::)
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Yes there would have been a blotter somewhere !!