Featured Is This An Oak Coffer?

I had a quick check this morning and no evidence of paint but will have a better look when I get home from work.
Thanks.
Tracey

 

I have checked really carefully and no paint. There does seem to be a stain of some kind on the chest. The wood underneath is a slightly lighter colour. Would it help if I took some pics of the joins? I'm not quite ready to give up yet

 

They were often stained - and more photos can't hurt.

 

Great. I'll try and get some good pics of the joins after work tomorrow.

 

Hi @James Conrad and @Any Jewelry. I have been re-reading through some of my original threads and found something interesting today. I turned the coffer on it's side and noticed it looks like the wood has been stained or painted. AJ I think she noticed this on the front of the coffer when I first posted. I have included a couple of new images below as well as a couple of the original images which are now full size

 

This may not be relevant, but I notice the lid is a lighter/different color from the rest of the piece. I wonder why?

 

Yes. It does look lighter but I think if it has been stained it has worn over time.

 

That's a lovely chest Tracy

 

Thank you Daemon. I'm about to send it off to have it cleaned up a bit

 

I'm sure it will look even better all cleaned up, best of luck with it. I'm sure it will be in your home for years to come.

 

Tracey, before you send it off for cleaning, please ask the furniture people here. The cleaning may remove all the patination which will likely ruin the piece. Bronzes have been ruined that way. @James Conrad @Any Jewelry @Fid

 

Yes, thank you for your comments. I definitely don't want to ruin it in any way.

 

If it were mine I would just Hoover it out, check for any live woodworm and wax it. It’s a lovely old coffer, useful too!

 

I agree.

 

That actually sounds like very good advice
Thank you Houseful

 

The photo of the bottom of the chest looks like black stains from the nails.
The chest is old but I don't think period, it probably has been stained that dark color, the top carving looks later as you see raw unstained wood where it was carved.

 

I don't see any reason not to clean or even refinish, I don't think it's period, in the photo of the chest interior, the rails are much too sharp, smooth and perfect to be rived & planed by hand.
The dark stain is probably meant to simulate age as period chests often turned dark/black primarily from smoke.
It looks like the chest has some nice quarter-sawn oak figure that is hidden by that dark stain. If it was mine, I'd want to see that figure enhanced, not hidden.

 

I suppose it depends who’s doing the cleaning and what clean means to them.

 

Thanks James. I do listen to your comments carefully. Please forgive my ignorance as I had to look up the definition of period
,Every time I jump onto this site I learn something new. When I meet with my antique restorer man I will be able to share your comments and those of others with him and see what he thinks.
I really appreciate your input. Thank you

 

Yes, terms can get confusing with old furniture in a hurry, particularly old construction terms and techniques.

This is the best way to determine exactly what's what with a piece, photographs often lie with furniture, what is easily seen in person is MIA with photos, the camera just does not capture vital details well for some reason. The restorer will be able to give you options that best meet your needs and preferences.