Custom Shelf from the 1800's??

I was looking for more information on this piece that the owner is trying to sell me with the purchase of their house. Says someone that knows antiques said it was worth around $10,000 and from the 1800's. Any insight would be great, I think it's beautiful!

 

Are those the only photographs you have? And what did the home's owner tell you about the piece?

Debora

 

My impression is its tacked together from old parts. Very interesting but I highly doubt the 10 grand price.

 

https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/90186...que-oxcart-wood-india-19th-century-andvintage

 

"Indian library dating back to the 19th century." according to the Catawiki seller.
Had a € 700 - € 800 estimate on Catawiki. Final price not shown.

(and it's still on the seller's own site: https://arrediantiquariato.it/home/4531-libreria-indiana-800.html)

 

Yah......... NO !!

he's just trying to get a chunk.....for a piece he doesn't want anymore !!!

Hope the house price was more reasonable !!!!!....

 

Something along the lines of:

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/s...-indian-bookcase-etagere/id-f_28687132/?gQT=1

Debora

 

And another:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/282921561007

Debora

 

Says someone that knows antiques said it was worth around $10,000 and from the 1800's.............

ya , but we know better...... and it's not either of those things...!!

Good ya came here 1st !! Eh..?

& let's say you do love it......... well , now you know where to look for others at a more reasonable cost....

unless he'll take $600 for it......

 

A smaller version on a Dutch site:

with an asking price of 695 EUR

 

The parts may be 19th century, but the adaptation to furniture is a modern thing.
https://ro.pinterest.com/metastasis/ox-cart/

https://www.berbertrading.com/pd_ox_cart.cfm

 

When I did a google search using "repurposed ox cart India shelves" the first result after the AI bit was a YouTube video on "How to turn an Indian Ox Cart into Valuable Furniture". It won't let a link work, but you can find it on YouTube. The cagey saleswoman suggests prices around 10,000 (presumably £), which may be where the seller got their figure.

 

that looks like it. thanks!!!!

 

exac

 

Cool piece though-look's like something Noah would've drug around -Gobekli Tepe tech.

 

Exactly. The parts are authentic, the composite of the parts is not.
I hate it when sellers make up such nonsense stories. As if Indian peasants had these bookcases in their homes for all the books they read in between ploughing etc., and they cut up their valued ox-cart to make such a bookcase.

Such composite things tend to be fashionable for a few years, and then no one wants them anymore. The owner of the house is an example, but the price they ask is mercenary.

Still, the modern composite of old parts unrelated to its present use has a sort of Steampunk feel, especially with all that metal. So if you like Steampunk Indian ox-cart parts made into a modern bookcase, pick the best value for money.

 

I'm not one to criticize someone else's taste so forgive me but... That piece is painful to the eye.

Debora

 

Sorry to nag and be a put-down artist but-
Weird kind of bastardization.I think an antique Indian cart would look quite beautiful out in the garden or patio,just being itself !
It's akin to sawing the head off an antique/ancient statue to make it more saleable (and/or easier to loot ).But as AJ said-if you like Steampunk,there ya go.
PS-'Form equals function',ie: the piece is more beautiful left as-is.
PS-Last to thing to consider-Is this feeding impoverished Indians,or am I being a bit 'Colonial' ?