Featured Real 1779 Wedding Chest?

I got this chest at a flea market and wanted to find out how to tell if it could be a reproduction or if its really from 1779.

Its had some repairs around the lock, but the rest of the nails and metal work look very old. A magnet will stick to the metal and a nail I found loose in the bottom of the chest, as well as one sticking out inside the lid have square cross sections. Everything looks old except the wood inside the chest looks so light and clean.

https://www.antiquers.com/media/1779-chest.10989/full
https://www.antiquers.com/media/top.10991/full
https://www.antiquers.com/media/nail.10988/full
https://www.antiquers.com/media/nail.10990/full
https://www.antiquers.com/media/corner.10992/full
https://www.antiquers.com/media/handle-attachment.10994/
https://www.antiquers.com/media/inside-lid.10995/
https://www.antiquers.com/media/nails.10996/
https://www.antiquers.com/media/lock-back.10997/
https://www.antiquers.com/media/key.10993/

 

could we see the whole thing....
the base....
and close up of the painting?/
and the interior..

 

Appears to be a steamer trunk.

 

that's sure is a lot of metal for a wedding chest.......

 

What an interesting piece. i think it might be as old as claimed,but Im no expert.. I see what may be worm holes. The metal banding throws me too,but maybe it was a traveling/working piece and when it finally landed the lady of the house wanted it prettied up. Maybe the inside was covered with something,couldnt that account for lighter wood ?

 

das a lot o' maybes ......

 

There are 2 panels next to each other with 2 sets of initials and the digits 17 on the left and 79 on the right. I suspect that is why FamilyHistory is calling it a wedding chest.

 

I typically would not place a banded chest like this to be quite that old. Wonder if it is an anniversary piece commemorating a wedding date. 50th anniversary?

 

No expert at all, but found this blog post from someone who claims hers as a family piece - I Love An Old Norwegian Trunk - Organized Clutter Her dates are similar, just a little later. But gives you a comparison of how the inside should look at this age. I own a lot of old French furniture and I'm always surprised at how well-preserved the interior of closed pieces are - if they've been stored well, you won't see much in the way of age, and have to look for the making. Those are handmade nails, no recent repro is going to that kind of trouble so I think it's old for sure. But whether the dates are exact or not...who knows?

Just re: the comments on the large amount of metal work - it's possible this has been added later, but I actually wonder if some of the older ones you see have had to metal taken off because of corrosion? As many of the designs have spaces in the design for straps or bands such as yours.

But take everything I say with a liberal dash of salt as I don't know anything, there are just ideas. Good luck, it's a lovely piece!

 

Nice details on the metal bands. Probably a very nice trunk, if we could see all of it.

Ditto. I wonder if the painting was added later, to make an antique trunk more interesting, and older.

 

Always pays to be suspicious of dates painted or carved into an old piece!

 

Most trunks meant to carry ladies goods were lined. Who wants splinters in their knickers? Or prickles in their petticoats?

 

Welcome to the forums - nice piece. Just as a note, if you post your images as 'Full View' to your future posts, it's much easier for others to view.

I've spent quite a bit of time looking at Scandinavian woodwork, and personally, though this fairly common form was continued into the 20th century, see no reason to believe this isn't a 1779 wedding chest (don't see a view of the bottom, but would think there might be indication of a previous wooden base or feet, often removed due to rot or other damage).


Some image searches...


Antique Norwegian chests:

https://www.google.com/search?q=antik+norsk+kiste&hl=en&gl=za&tbm=isch&sxsrf=APwXEdcF4D9enXVwOKWjGYM2kLXAwzxX8w:1681051396755&source=hp&biw=1536&bih=714&ei=BM8yZJCbLL3rkvQPpeSL0Aw&iflsig=AOEireoAAAAAZDLdFHUkKYuWKZ2FbRG8FnNuukqTHKcZ&ved=0ahUKEwiQree6hJ3-AhW9tYQIHSXyAsoQ4dUDCAc&uact=5&oq=antik+norsk+kiste&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoHCCMQ6gIQJzoECCMQJzoFCAAQgAQ6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAToECAAQAzoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6BAgAEB46BggAEAgQHjoGCAAQBRAeUOcGWKV6YKCEAWgBcAB4AIABoAGIAd8KkgEEMTYuMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nsAEK&sclient=img


Antique Norwegian wedding chests:

https://www.google.com/search?q=antikk+norsk+bryllup+kiste&hl=en&gl=za&tbm=isch&sxsrf=APwXEdcF4D9enXVwOKWjGYM2kLXAwzxX8w:1681051396755&source=hp&biw=1536&bih=714&ei=BM8yZJCbLL3rkvQPpeSL0Aw&iflsig=AOEireoAAAAAZDLdFHUkKYuWKZ2FbRG8FnNuukqTHKcZ&oq=antik+norsk+kiste&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgBMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnMgcIIxDqAhAnUABYAGDDRmgBcAB4AIABAIgBAJIBAJgBAKoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nsAEK&sclient=img


Antique Danish chests:

https://www.google.com/search?q=antik+dansk+kiste&hl=en&gl=za&tbm=isch&sxsrf=APwXEdcF4D9enXVwOKWjGYM2kLXAwzxX8w:1681051396755&source=hp&biw=1536&bih=714&ei=BM8yZJCbLL3rkvQPpeSL0Aw&iflsig=AOEireoAAAAAZDLdFHUkKYuWKZ2FbRG8FnNuukqTHKcZ&ved=0ahUKEwiQree6hJ3-AhW9tYQIHSXyAsoQ4dUDCAc&uact=5&oq=antik+dansk+kiste&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIECCMQJzoHCCMQ6gIQJzoFCAAQgAQ6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAToECAAQAzoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6BAgAEB5QjRhY6IoBYIuZAWgBcAB4AIABcYgB5QqSAQQxMy40mAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWewAQo&sclient=img


Antique Danish wedding chests:

https://www.google.com/search?q=antik+dansk+bryllup+kiste&hl=en&gl=za&tbm=isch&sxsrf=APwXEdcF4D9enXVwOKWjGYM2kLXAwzxX8w:1681051396755&source=hp&biw=1536&bih=714&ei=BM8yZJCbLL3rkvQPpeSL0Aw&iflsig=AOEireoAAAAAZDLdFHUkKYuWKZ2FbRG8FnNuukqTHKcZ&oq=antik+&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgAMgQIIxAnMgQIIxAnMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6BwgjEOoCECc6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAToECAAQAzoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwFQ2wlYqjJg2WZoB3AAeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ7ABCg&sclient=img


Antique Swedish chests:

https://www.google.com/search?q=antik+svensk+kista&hl=en&gl=za&tbm=isch&sxsrf=APwXEdcF4D9enXVwOKWjGYM2kLXAwzxX8w:1681051396755&source=hp&biw=1536&bih=714&ei=BM8yZJCbLL3rkvQPpeSL0Aw&iflsig=AOEireoAAAAAZDLdFHUkKYuWKZ2FbRG8FnNuukqTHKcZ&oq=antik+s&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgBMgQIIxAnMgQIIxAnMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6BwgjEOoCECc6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAToECAAQAzoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwFQwAlY_D5g73RoCHAAeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ7ABCg&sclient=img


Antique Swedish wedding chests:

https://www.google.com/search?q=antik+svensk+bröllop+kista&hl=en&gl=za&tbm=isch&sxsrf=APwXEdcF4D9enXVwOKWjGYM2kLXAwzxX8w:1681051396755&source=hp&biw=1536&bih=714&ei=BM8yZJCbLL3rkvQPpeSL0Aw&iflsig=AOEireoAAAAAZDLdFHUkKYuWKZ2FbRG8FnNuukqTHKcZ&oq=antik+s&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgAMgQIIxAnMgQIIxAnMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6BwgjEOoCECc6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAToECAAQAzoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwFQtRtY1JYBYPa0AWgLcAB4AIABcIgBygOSAQMyLjOYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ7ABCg&sclient=img


~Cheryl

 

Also remember a 200-250 yr old piece most likely has some replacement parts,especially if a well-traveled 'banged-around' piece.

 

Always learning on here ! Thank you Cheryl !

 

Thank you.
Is there a way to edit the post? I had clicked full view when posting, but it never changed anything. I was in an area with bad signal at the time.
I will post more pictures as soon as I get the chest home, bought it in Florida and on my way home to Ohio now.

 

don't bother with edit.....just add the new pics here when you can..

 

Trying this again with better full pictures. I discovered there are wooden pegs in the bottom and lid. The chest is 4 feet long, 22 inches wide and about 2 feet tall.

Key by FamilyHistory posted Apr 8, 2023 at 9:24 AM

Front by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Back by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Left end by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Right end by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Bottom of chest by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Front painting 1 by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Front painting 2 by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Bottom corner with two wooden pegs by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Bottom Corner with wooden peg by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Bottom with wooden peg by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:42 PM

Inside by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Inside compartment by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Inside compartment Attachment by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Inside compartment Hinge by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Lock by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Lock back by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Wooden peg in lid by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Handle attachment by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

Handle attachment inside by FamilyHistory posted Apr 10, 2023 at 9:54 PM

 

Thank you. As I thought, a very nice antique trunk. The painted decorations look original to me, so it gets my vote for wedding chest too.

 

I've seen a few of these in the last 40 years on the West Coast.Some Dealers & Collectors thought they may have been 'enhanced' date/paint-wise,but now I think perhaps not.
Dense forests & plentiful fishing grounds of the Pac NW are probably what drew so many Norwegians to this area.
18th Century furniture is freakishly rare here.