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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Overloaded on December 29, 2010, 05:33:05 PM

Title: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: Overloaded on December 29, 2010, 05:33:05 PM
Can't figure out what wood was used for this box to help along with my research as well.


Flowers to me means it could have been a jewelry box instead of a game set box am I right?
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5304907570_8e045bd2ba_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5304314059_c4c3e8ce33_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5304313929_34ab04c7bb_z.jpg)



Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: greenacres on December 29, 2010, 05:48:18 PM
Is the inside the natural wood or is it decorated on the inside?
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: waywardangler on December 29, 2010, 09:17:05 PM
The old pyrography boxes were very popular.  I have a few.  I think the wood was ash or poplar.  It is not pine.  Time frame is 1900s to 1930s for most of the boxes.  Some of them have patent dates on the hinges.  Many examples are available online.  This is an extensive site if you do some reading and search the links http://pyromuse.org/sking4.html
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: cogar on December 30, 2010, 04:54:04 AM
Could it be Basswood, or Linden as some people call it?
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: KC on December 30, 2010, 12:00:53 PM
Possibly even olive?

But looks alot more like ash to me such as this one
http://www.tias.com/8731/PictPage/1922712832.html (http://www.tias.com/8731/PictPage/1922712832.html)



Talesof....temporar y HIJACK here....thought of you when I saw this small lap desk made in the style of a sea captains...but for a lady!
http://www.rubylane.com/item/280675-AntBTD-357/25-19th-Century-Tambour-Roll (http://www.rubylane.com/item/280675-AntBTD-357/25-19th-Century-Tambour-Roll)
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: Oceans64 on December 30, 2010, 12:34:27 PM
To add to the confusion...  I was thinking Briarwood.  I have a jewelry box made of this and has similar spotting altho there are some knotted parts as well.  I can post a pic if you like but the center of this box is a good example.  I believe this wood is from Italy so you would have to think you box is from the same (I would guess).

http://www.theworld-export.com/pic.asp?url=uppic/1546/157111/mens-valet-box-765.jpg
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: waywardangler on December 30, 2010, 04:42:32 PM
It is not briarwood.  There were hundreds/thousands of these made and the wood had to be plentiful, cheap, and easy to burn with a hot tip.  When I have more time I will take a couple of mine, a loupe, and my wood book and see what it is.  Top guesses are ash, poplar, basswood, and gumwood.

Wikipedia says..."Light-coloured hardwoods such as sycamore, basswood, beech and birch are most commonly used, as their fine grain is not obtrusive, and they produce the most pleasing contrast. However, other woods, such as pine or oak, are also used when required."  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrography
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: waywardangler on December 31, 2010, 02:00:39 AM
The "hose" box I have is ash.
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: cogar on December 31, 2010, 08:09:37 AM
Is the inside the natural wood or is it decorated on the inside?


It looks to me like it is decorated on the "inside" because, looking at the side pieces of the bottom of the box, the "edges" or "ends" of the boards are decorated the same as the "surfaces" of the boards, which would be unusual for natural wood. 

If the "dark spots" were natural then I would think that one could see the one's on the edges or corners of the boards having a "matching one" on both surfaces ....... and I don't see that in the photo.
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: KC on December 31, 2010, 11:50:22 AM
I agree with that observation as well cogar....however, I have seen wood like this before....and doggone it I cannot remember for the life of me what the wood was!
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: greenacres on December 31, 2010, 07:38:25 PM
My husband said it could be a "Spanish Cedar" . He said he's not sure, but that that type wood would last forever.
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: cogar on January 01, 2011, 04:05:46 AM
KC, are you thinking of Bird's Eye Maple per chance?

Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: waywardangler on January 01, 2011, 09:50:24 AM
Spanish cedar is not a cedar nor is it from Spain.  It is commonly used in cigar boxes and humidors and also in veneer.  A member of the mahoghany family.
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: Overloaded on January 02, 2011, 01:13:42 AM
Thanks guys for all of your input-  ::) newbie me didn't take pictures of the bottom and lo and behold its not marked like inside of this box... its plain!

 


Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: cogar on January 02, 2011, 07:06:38 AM
Does the bottom show the natural color or any graining in the wood. If so, post a picture of it.
Title: Re: type of wood used for this box?
Post by: KC on January 02, 2011, 10:47:25 AM
Ditto!