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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: chrissib on September 24, 2011, 03:00:27 PM
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Hi I have recently purchased a piece of furniture which through research has turned out to be an old chamber pot cupboard, but on the front of it is carved initials 'TM' or 'MT' inside circular twirls.
My thoughts, logically, come o the conclusion, a signature of an artist would be a little more discreet, like in the corner of a painting, or on the back. Not brazened right in the centre about 3 inches square. So then I thought it maybe a commissioned piece for someone well known. But this is where my investigation stumbles, as I cant find anymore information on it.
Hence an entry on here, hoping I may get some answers.
Regards
Chrissib
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Welcome to the forum! They most likely are the initials of the owner or the family rather than the maker, I would love to see pictures! Are you able to post a few? :)
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Most likely owner....but would like to see pic of item. Sometimes Furniture to hold chamber pots are confused/mixed up with furniture pieces to hold men's smoking paraphernalia...and they were more likely to be monogrammed!
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Could "M T" stand for "Must Tinkle"?
Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one!
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I have tried to load some pictures but they are all too big in file size. Will try something else.
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try opening the pics with "paint" if you have it, then go to resize/rescew and bring it down to size
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thanks for the advice, that worked.
second attempt at posting pictures.
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Can you open the door and take a pic of the inside and take a side view of that top piece !! One of the back would help too if possible !!
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more pictures as requested..
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Oh that is quite lovely, nicer than I was imagining. It does look like the exterior has been refinished, I'm not seeing any wear, but the small size really makes it a neat addition that would look great in an old fashioned bedroom or bathroom. Useful too! I see you've got towels in there! Love it!
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Could "M T" stand for "Must Tinkle"?
Sorry, I just couldn't resist that one!
LOL, tales! How did you even come up with that one? :D
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Going to ask a few questions here !! Are the carved pieces on the top darker than the rest ?? Does the carving in the crest match what is on the front of the bottom portion or at least have elements that are the same ?? Couldn`t get all the pics to download !! I am asking because all the parts don`t seem to go together !! Carving on the top looks more empire than bottom which has elements of Sheraton/Hepplewhite with the spade foot and overall style !! Not to say it couldn`t be made this way but it is odd if it was !! I almost think that the two side pieces and the crest were added to dress up a plain shelf !!
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I would say that carving on the top is darker and maybe of a different piece put together later, but what about the 'TM' carving. I am sure this means something. It looks as thought this has been carved by a person, as the letters overlap and are not exact. I would be happy just to know what this means. ( and yes 'talesofthesevenseas' you're so funny ha- ha - )
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I think the only way to do this would be to contact the person you bought it from and to try to trace it back to the original owner. It is probably the initials of the original owner.
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Wealthier families often had personalized pieces !! However it was more common in the UK than here !!
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bought it from a car boot sale, from a guy who clears houses for a living... unlikely to see him again. I thought the motif would be in an experts book somewhere, or maybe someone rich or famous. Cant see why else someone would spend time carving it. Anyway, thanks for looking, it was a long shot.
Regards
Chrissib