Featured BLANKET CHEST WITH CAST METAL HANDLES, HELP!

Hi! My SIL just brought this chest up from their basement to use as a coffee table!! It's never been painted, just stained. Just some plain hinges inside, which is pretty clean, 'ditty box' inside also seems like it might have been added later as I thought the wood looked like it was a bit newer.....but I could be wrong too. The handles I'm hoping might help date the chest....they are a cast metal I believe....of a woman's face....she has a cross of some sort on her chest....not sure if it's her hair or a crown on top of her hair.....the chest sits on 4 metal castors. I'm guessing maybe 1890-1910???? The chest measures 35" x 17" x 15.875". The lid is a bit larger intentionally. Decent dovetailing....sorry, I only got one image of that.....and the chest got too near someone who was painting with a roller....you'll see some spatter!!!! It does have a nice old lock in it, but no key....I don't think she'd want one anyway!!!! She'd just lose it like I might!!!! There is NO writing anywhere at all in, on or underneath, anywhere!!!!!! ANY DEFINING INPUT WOULD BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED, and of course, as always, THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance!!!!!

 

Nice but I’ve no clue.

 

well, I'm thinking church use.......

 

The lady falls somewhat into my field. She is wearing a tiara or diadem. Seems odd to choose a figure conspicuously wearing a cross to decorate a chest like this. Don't know if it had any significance to original owner. Hope chest, literally?

 

Think the chest mid to late 19th century. Think the handles newer reproductions added sometime later.

 

Gosh, I hope so!

Not that I would change anything (what a conversation starter!), but the handles do rather give the appearance of five-year-old Mary Jane wearing Aunty Gotrocks diamond and pearl earrings!

 

That would be good , because Mary Jane is becoming much more socially acceptable this year.....

 

ew

 

Well, that should help her a bit!!!! Thank you again, Bronwen and Verybrad!!!! OK, SO now you can crucify me.....'cuz I KNOW you all HATE to do this, BUT, would anyone like to venture a "potential" value here in the Northeast New England??? My guess is maybe a couple of hundred...... YOURS????? (p.s......she's begging....don't think she trusts my judgement)

 

It's clean simple and warm....but you'd need to find the right buyer & right venue to top out at more than $200 .....

 

Thanks Komo....at least I can tell her that....maybe tops!!!

 

Verybrad has got this spot on (I collect boxes) on the valuation front I would say less than £100, it has the original lock and keep and candle box but the handles are modern (easy and cheap to find originals on ebay) The wood is pine so not the best. Like everything it depends on where it's sold and to whom.

 

Sure looks good, very few folks would know the little differences.

 

Sounds like it will make a great coffee table. And of course your SIL should clean the paint spatters off!

 

I think those handles are actually drawer pulls that were put on. Something like this may have had leather handles at one time. We have a couple of old chests like this with leather handles.

 

I think those are drawer pulls. It looks like it was refinished and these were added. There seems to be a slightly different color to the wood behind on one of the photos.

 

HaHa!!! Thanks Fig, I already told her they need to do that!!!!!

 

Good eye Bev...I see what you're talking about in the last image!!! Hadn't thought about that....THANKS!!!!

 

THANKS ALL!!! The "Likes" brought me back to the page....hadn't realized there were more comments....will pass ALL info on to SIL!!!!