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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: talesofthesevenseas on June 30, 2013, 12:15:56 AM
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You might recall that more than two and a half years ago I posted about getting a very old, wooden sink that was apparently from a Chinese Laundry, definitely from San Jose CA. It had been in my friend's carriage house and basement for the last 100 years or so. I went over to get it once and we were only able to get it part way out of the basement, without having to move a whole lot of her things. Well, I picked it up today. Here it is.
It is really old. The redwood boards are all milled with straight cuts, so I think that is going to date it to pre-1870 when circular saws became commonly used. Since it is California, most likely that would me 1849/gold rush to 1870s. The original hardware is there and it's all iron, a magent sticks and they are individually slotted. Brass or copper drain inserts, old stopper chains are still there.
From what I have read, only Chinese laborers did laundry early on. White people considered it beneath them. There are no markings to confirm that, but there are some photos and drawings here of other Chinese sinks that look very similar this sink. Here's one:
(http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/files/2010/01/chinese-laundry-1881.jpg)
It is huge. Eight feet long. However I do have a good place for it. But I'm trying not to get attached to it just yet. I'm checking to see if the Chinese historical group at History Park would like to have it to display in their building. These are so rare to have survived and it really gives you a sense of what working in a laundry might have been like, scrubbing shirts for hours on end. If there is a place that would actively display it, I will donate it. I have an inquiry out now, through the city historian.
There are some condition issues. The dividers between the sinks have rot. There is a split in the front center leg that has been reglued. None of these affect the stability. It is what it is and it really does have a impact when you see the real deal like this.
The fabled Chinese laundry sink in my yard at last!
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/ChineseLaundrySinkExterior_zps2a0cc056.jpg)
Note the rot
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/ChineseLaundrySinkInterior_zps39f6c1b6.jpg)
Drain inserts are brass or copper.
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/ChineseLaundrySinkDrain_zps19345bd9.jpg)
Drain stopper chain. This one is fully intact, the other two are just a few inches
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/ChineseLaundrySinkDrainChain_zpsc39869fb.jpg)
Split in front center leg, does not affect stability. Just cosmetic.
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/ChineseLaundrySinkSplitLeg_zps55d04994.jpg)
Examples of straight saw marks:
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/ChineseLaundrySinkSawMarks_zpsfea71431.jpg)
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Wow, fabulous!! I'm totally jealous, although I have nowhere to put it. I repaired antique wood windows with 2 part epoxy which you may be able to repair the rotten parts with. GG
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Thanks for the tip on the epoxy! The rot has eaten all the way through the boards between sink compartments, it's too late for that, so they can just stay as they are. At this point all I did was use a soft dry brush and leaf blower to get the dirt out of it, and reglued the split on the front center leg.
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Great find Tales!
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there was one of these at yesterdays auction...it was zinc lined....i wish now i,d taken a picture of it, it was 6ft long x 2.1/2 feet wide, x 2ft deep,..it even had an upstand with an Acme wringer attached....the bidding started at £5....and it struggled to get £14....the guy that bought it...only wanted the tub for a flower bed....
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I like that idea!
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Love it tales!! Beautiful piece and with all the rot and splits to me it just adds character!!
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its just as well, its found you,and not me.... ;D
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Bigwull I'm not surprised at the auction price. The sheer size of this beast would make it difficult to sell. Who could really use something like this? It's not got any real beauty and it's very utilitarian. On the other hand, wouldn't it be cool if it could be part of a display that would show what a Chinese laundry was really like and the working conditions people had to endure back in the day? I'm hoping that is what I can find for it. If not, it can be in the room with my Chinese wedding bed and after it's a little cleaner I can toss the bed pillows in there at night.
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Cool big 'ol remnant of the way things used to be , talesof !
I suppose one could market it as a 'unique' antique coffin for any Chinese NBA star ? (they'd have to remove the 2 dividers , unless , or course , they were planning on 'sinking' a 3-pointer ...) ;D
Remove the legs for a herkin' shadowbox/wall shelf ?
Stood on its' end for a laundry cupboard w/drying rack (legs) ?
I've not seen a big one like yours since the 60's & I'd suspect that they are becoming more rare by the year ... I really like the big slabs of redwood .
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Thanks for the tip on the epoxy! The rot has eaten all the way through the boards between sink compartments, it's too late for that, so they can just stay as they are.
You would be amazed at the job that Wood Consolidants & 2 part epoxy will do, it can be used to repair structural columns. But like you, I would be happy to just clean it up & use it. Good find, GG
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GG I would LOVE to see some more info on that. Is there an online tutorial?
Fancy, I have the perfect spot for it in the house, if the historical folks aren't interested. I just have to shift a few things around, clean it a little more and it can sit opposite the Chinese wedding bed and hold the pillows and other things.
It "wood" make a good coffin, one that would confuse the hell out of the archaeologists that dig me up someday!
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GG I would LOVE to see some more info on that. Is there an online tutorial?
There are several online youtube videos on this. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20171581,00.html, also if you go to the Old house journal website & do a search of wood restoration there should be some help. It is sometimes hard to find the kit, but this is what I use, here is the amazon link. http://www.amazon.com/Abatron-Wood-Restoration-Kit-FL/dp/B001OXWI3Y HTH, GG
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Talesof, you never cease to amaze and impress me with your love of historical items and working hard to get them in museums! The world would be so much better with more like you around!
I love, love, love it!
I actually love the idea of using it to hold pillows, etc. Expect to see it in a decorator magazine somewhere down the line if it doesn't make it into a museum!
Thanks for sharing your adventures!
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Thanks KC! I got a referral to the Chinese Historical Society, so we'll see if they are interested. The city historian says the size is likely to be a problem.
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Great job so far , talesof .
If not to a museum , it'll sure be a nice addition i/s your home (& a cool hidey-hole for the cat) !
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Good news! This just in from the Chinese Historical Society:
Hi Claire, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a really exciting find! I am including Ken Middlebrook on this email as he is our Collection Manager. Itis also good timing as we have a Gold Rush weekend event this coming Sunday and we are featuring the Chinese! Now need to think where to put it. Ken can make the arrangements with you and we look forward to meeting you. Alida
I'm delivering the sink to CHS on Wednesday afternoon, in time for the Gold Rush weekend event!
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Tales that is so kind of you. I'm sure it's not light to move. How interesting!
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Whoo Hoo!!!!!!!!
Perfect Timing!
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They are going to have it outdoors for the gold rush event this weekend, then they will move it indoors, they just aren't quite sure where yet.
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Here is the museum where it is going. This building is in History San Jose, a park full of buildings that came from all over San Jose. This building is a reproduction, but most are original. This is the building it will be associated with. Inside are artifacts from a Chinatown dig in San Jose some years ago and other Chinese cultural items. Upstairs is a beautiful shrine.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-avBTrjM2ZVc/TpJCDF5dZ_I/AAAAAAAAAzk/0EQq560IZgs/s1600/San+Jose+018.JPG)
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What a quaint building!
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Just like you brought it 'home"