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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: talesofthesevenseas on May 27, 2012, 01:52:49 AM

Title: Picked Up Something Neat Today- Dated Sugar Crate
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 27, 2012, 01:52:49 AM: A few days ago my husband set something down on the glass coffee table just a little too hard... needless to say it was time for me to pick another coffee table. I decided to go with something rustic and unique and found this on Craigslist- It is an old sugar crate from Austria, with a date of 1888 painted on it's exterior.

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2306.jpg)

The interior was lined in blue paper with this emblem. I ran a search on the name, it looks to be a sugar factory in Austria which was in business from at least the 1830's through the 1880's.

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2313.jpg)

I think what I have here is a crate that was repurposed and painted, maybe to commemorate coming to the USA or a wedding?

Looking inside:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2309.jpg)

Exterior label:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2308.jpg)

Individually slotted screws on the hinges:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2319.jpg)

Forged Iron hinges:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2311.jpg)

Half mortise lock:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2315.jpg)

Exterior lock was moved:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2316.jpg)

Exterior slats on the lid with odd-sized nails.

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2327.jpg)

Handles:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2317.jpg)

Iron bracing:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2321.jpg)

Although the trunk seems to pre-date the painted date, there are a lot of scuffs and scratches on the date:

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/DSCN2306.jpg)

The plan here is to have the glass top re-cut to make a tabletop for this chest. I'll do my best make sure hubby sets things on it ever so geeeeeeently!!
Title: Re: Picked Up Something Neat Today- Dated Sugar Crate
Post by: KC on May 27, 2012, 08:27:27 AM: I REALLY REALLY REALLY like the looks of this awesome chest!

You find the neatest things!
Title: Re: Picked Up Something Neat Today- Dated Sugar Crate
Post by: fancypants on May 27, 2012, 02:43:23 PM: Cool little re-purposed sugar shipping crate , talesof !

Now you'll need a pair of these :
Title: Re: Picked Up Something Neat Today- Dated Sugar Crate
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 27, 2012, 10:32:08 PM: I sure would have needed those if it still had sugar in it! As it was, I think it was a "sweet deal" even though it was empty!
Title: Re: Picked Up Something Neat Today- Dated Sugar Crate
Post by: sugarcube on May 28, 2012, 08:37:50 AM: may I be so tacky as to ask how much you paid?

How did they list it as a collectible or an antique?

I think it is beautiful
Title: Re: Picked Up Something Neat Today- Dated Sugar Crate
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on May 28, 2012, 11:20:36 PM: I paid $90. It was probably a fair price, but not a great bargain, but I liked it. I found it on Craigslist in the Antiques section. It was described badly, just as a "wood chest" and had only one photo that you couldn't see well. I probably would not have driven out to see it, but we just happened to be out in the area. In person I really like the rustic look of it, all the bumps, scuffs and flaws.
Title: Re: Picked Up Something Neat Today- Dated Sugar Crate
Post by: frogpatch on May 29, 2012, 08:05:45 AM: Awesome looking piece. I can imagine all the great Viennese pastries that were made from its contents. I'm gaining weight just just thinking about it.