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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Lindakeith on September 26, 2008, 12:31:31 PM
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I just got my first antique. Is it a real antique? I think it is beautiful but know nothing about it. If anyone can share what they may know about it I would appreciate it. I think they call it tiger wood. What really does that mean? What type of wood is it? What was its original purposes? Not that I care but has it been altered? I have attached two pictures.
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Can't you post a picture on here.
Downloading over a megabyte on dial-up takes too long.
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I noticed lindakeith online today and this was their only post. It never got a response! Can we help them?
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How did we miss this one? It's a beauty! Lindakieth it does not look like a reproduction, I don't think you need to worry about that, but I'll let the others who know more about furniture say more.
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It was two years ago, I don't think we were even here yet tales. ;) Just thought it would be nice.
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How nice of you to look at my cabinet. I read the post every day and just thought it was a mystery yet to be solved.
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It sure is beautiful, I love it! Hopefully we can get you a little more info about it, if you still need some info. To me, it looks like it was made right around 1890-1910-ish. But it may be older, I'm no expert. It doesn't look much newer than 1910. It's very handsome! Do you collect antiques now or is this still your only piece?
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And tales, what do you think it's original purpose was? ???
At first I thought it was a wardrobe, some big huge piece of furniture. But then I saw the house door handle and realized it's not that big at all. Is it just simply a cabinet?
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Also if you look at the bottom it has a board that is framed and one could take it out.
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I had the very same first impression, that it was larger than it actually is... but not quite wardrobe size, and then I too saw the door knob... It is really a very petite piece, almost too small for a drinks cabinet I'd have thought.... and I do like the double bow-front.
The style could be 1920's, but the feet?? It could be quite a bit older....
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I did not notice that lindakeith! Very cool. Maybe for wet umbrellas? Wet Coats? It would be great if you could take a pic with the bottom out but if it's too much of a hassle then don't worry about it. :)
Yeah, could be 20's. But not quite sure...
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By the way, is the proper term for the wood quarter sawn oak? Or is it tiger oak? Is there a difference?
http://barnyardgazette.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-quarter-sawn-oak.html
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I'll get a few more pics of it. I would like a bit more of a story than I got it an an estate sale. I paid under $100.00. Based on what you see do you think that was a fair price.
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Most defnitely a fair price! Great Job! It's gotta be worth at least a few hundred. At least that's what I'd pay. I'll go searching to see if I can find anything similar. Also, see if you can see any markings at all including stickers, tags or impressions in the wood. Sometimes they are well hidden.
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That's a very good price! It's lovely! With its petite size, my best guess so far is that perhaps it was a liquor cabinet. I'm finding some similar liquor cabinets but nothing quite like this one. The solid doors hiding the contents from view is what makes me think this. It's for something not to be displayed. I kinda like the idea of the roaring lion warning everyone to keep their grubby paws off o' Pa's hootch!!
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I agree tales! What do you think is the purpose of the bottom coming out though? Hiding something?
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Just read your piece on the Word Document... Could you elaborate on:
In the bottom you can see two squares that can be removed. This looks original to the piece. It also has two cut out under the top. The top is secure to the piece.
What is beneath the two panels? Is there a void?
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You may be just that. It does have a lock at the top.
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I was looking for keyholes, saw those two 'marks' either side of the lions head, about eye-brow level, but didn't think they were keyholes. I think I can see where the lock is when it is closed, but where are the keyholes?
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Is this lock a ball detent or spring lock so when you push on a door it opens? I do not see any door handles to open it otherwise. It also appears to be veneer on the two curved molded doors. Nice piece of furniture but no idea what it's original purpose was for. Hosman might be right with the umbrellla/wet coat idea. Those two bottom covers must have a reason.
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It does seem more like a liquor cabinet with the lock and missing shelves inside but I still don't get the top coming off and the bottom too. Maybe you put the umbrellas in with the handles coming out of the top, so you could grab it on the way out the door? ??? Maybe it's a multi-purpose cabinet. :)
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K, I'm gonna run with my imagination here (cause I got nothin') ....... wonder if those 'holes' when uncovered, held square pans filled with ice to keep the booze cool?? :D
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Along the imagination line... I was thinking prohibition!! :o :D ;D
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Good idea sapphire! Like an icebox. I was thinking about prohibition, too. But I couldn't think of what it had to do with it, except hiding booze under the bottom. ??? Still doesn't explain the top removing...
Oh wait, the top pieces don't remove, they are just cut outs. More pics would be great!
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OK, so as long as we are letting our imaginations run wild...how about the two pans holding water (instead of ice) to humidify the interior to keep the gentleman's cigars and tobacco moist? ;D If it were a booze cooler, I would think it would be lined with metal and if it were a humidor, I also think it would be lined with metal.
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I'm liking liquor cabinet (possibly with a prohibition twist):
http://vandm.com/1920_s-Prohibition-Bar-Cabinet/1_266_product=166247.aspx
Would explain the wood on the doors... I have seen 2 so far tho I think they are bigger and 2 levels.... Will keep looking as life allows :)
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I like this piece. Looks very 1800's to very early 1900's in the "bow front" design.
I have quite a few pieces (French made) that when the key is inserted into the key hole, the key acts as the handle to open and close the piece....so it isn't uncommon to see this in 1800's to early 1900's pieces foreign and American made.
What are the exact dimensions of the piece? AND what are the measurements between the slots for shelves inside?
LindaKeith, can you please take a pic of the back of the piece as well.
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I see that I made the 1st post in response but then I musta missed her “Edit post” to add the pictures.
That is a beauty and I would say mid to late 1800's.
It is "Tiger" oak veneer or quarter sawn oak veneer, which gets its name from the "stripes" of the woodgrain. Same as "Tiger" maple.
It could be a hall cupboard or commode.
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English Victorian cabinet, guesses last quarter 19th century because of the "NorthWinds" carving between the doors, a popular carving in late victorian furniture.
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I could be wrong, and I'm always keen to learn, but are not North Wind carvings always of a male? This does look pretty much like a lion, and the paws down below seem to support that, do you agree?
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mariok54 ,
Could be a lion, hard to tell from the pic. NorthWind or Ole Man of the North carvings depict a mythical man/beast type face popular in victorian times. Paw feet are usually associated with Classical or Empire furniture which was popular during the first quarter of the 19th century. Another point to keep in mind is, victorian furniture makers often combined several different styles into the same piece particularly in it's later periods, say 1880s onward.
You might post your cabinet on this blog that specializes in victorian furniture and see what turns up.
http://victorianforum.com/
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Thanks for that bit of info, Jacon, you obviously know your stuff , so you could be right :) It is difficult to tell exactly, and clearer photos would be useful, even ones of the inside compartments, underside and back would be nice.