Just another whatsit!

I have a wooden chest that I don't think is old. At least, parts of it don't look old. Someone may have modified an old cabinet. But, I'm not sure of it's purpose. Is it a jewelry chest? Are you supposed to hang necklaces on that weird thing inside the door?

 

How big? Maybe the big odd bit was meant to hold in place something that stood in the large compartment? Looks purpose built, but...? Think the knowledgeable folks are going to want more views.

 

Dimensions?

 

The cabinet is 12" wide and 15" tall.

 

That was my first thought.

 

I was thinking - if it was older - a glove box. That arm doesn't seem like it was meant for jewelry. Definitely to hold something or to hold the shape of something.

 

The arm looks like it's new wood with stain only, no varnish. It's part of what looks like modifications to me.

 

neckties..?

 

Wig?

 

I'm most puzzled by that little notch in the arm.

I do have an oak jewellery chest that is about that size & similar layout, except does not have doors that close it all up. (Until I had to let him go, I had to keep something heavy in front of it because I had a cat who kept pulling open the drawers, hooking things out & then of course batting them around until they were lost.) The drawers are lined. The side for hanging things has 4 hooks shaped like an L rotated left mounted on the door. Maybe this once did too, now replaced with mystery piece?