Information on Oak trunk

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by Glos2021, Sep 15, 2021.

  1. Glos2021

    Glos2021 Member

    Hi All,

    I'm trying to learn more about a Oak trunk I recently purchased at a uk auction.

    The trunk was described as '19th century Oak trunk'

    It's 67 X 35 X 31cm.

    Q's
    1. How can you tell age of trunk? And is it 19th century
    2. What would shelf have been used for?
    3. It came with some brass corner fittings on which looked very modern, I have taken these off but how should I fill holes?
    4. How should I clean it?
    5. There is a square of discolouring can I do anything to restore this area?

    Sorry so many questions, but new to antiques and want to buy more and also look after this item.

    Photos to follow

    Thanks
     
    Glos2021, Sep 15, 2021
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  2. Glos2021

    Glos2021 Member

    Glos2021, Sep 15, 2021
    #2 + Quote Reply
  3. Glos2021

    Glos2021 Member

    Glos2021, Sep 15, 2021
    #3 + Quote Reply
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  4. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    It looks like stained pine to me or mixed woods.

    The interior base looks like pine.

    The inside shelf is usually lidded and used to store candles.

    Commonly called a blanket box or blanket chest in the UK.
     
    daveydempsey, Sep 15, 2021
    #4 + Quote Reply
    James Conrad and Any Jewelry like this.
  5. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    If it is pine don't have it stripped like they used to do in the 80's

    Dipped in caustic soda tank, it dissolved all the glues and joints and ruined them.

    I would use natural Briwax to polish it.
     
    daveydempsey, Sep 15, 2021
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    James Conrad and Any Jewelry like this.
  6. Glos2021

    Glos2021 Member

    Thanks Dave, I will look into Briwax.
     
    Glos2021, Sep 15, 2021
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    Any Jewelry and daveydempsey like this.
  7. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Pine is a softwood, a thumb nail should easily press into it, always a good test.
     
    daveydempsey, Sep 15, 2021
    #7 + Quote Reply
    Boland and Any Jewelry like this.
  8. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    Agree, pine and certainly 19th century. Thanks for removing the brass additions. Would fill the holes with wood filler/putty with a bit of stain mixed in. Oterwise, they also make colored wax sticks for filling furniture.
     
    verybrad, Sep 16, 2021
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