Old primitive small wood spices or jewelry cabinet.

Old primitive (?) small wood spices or jewelry cabinet.

Please help with information.

Sorry I am posting it thru “Furniture”, but I didn’t find another place for this kind of item.

It is 14.5” L x 7.5” W & 9.5” H. I think the Ivory paint is original and there is visible wood thru the spots. The “gold” color of décor on the doors and decorative parts at the sides of cabinet is not a paint. These parts of decor made in 3D are coated with Gold Leaf. Most of this Gold Leaf coating is already discolored – looks much darker or even a little “greenny”, but in the deep parts of decor it is still more bright gold. Handles / knobs are made from cast metal, and they are not “screwed” to the doors – they are attached with two metal parts (last picture). This cabinet is real looks “primitive”, because it looks like some 3-4 years old child painted – very inaccurately. There are white felt inside. Also I found two more things in this cabinet during dust cleaning…. First of all I found … 6 gr. 14K yellow gold bracelet made in Italy (it was on bottom under the big draw) and second find: some small piece of pink paper with typed information, and I found it is in Hindi and Something spiritual. Thanks!

 

This is relatively modern and made in India or, possibly, Indonesia. Patterned as a spice cabinet but for whatever use you would like. It is actually more decorative in form than most truly old cabinets but, as you noted, the paint and gold leaf are sloppy. Those handles are also nicer than what would usually be found on such a utilitarian item.

 

Thank you!!!! Just would like to see a person who will keep it as a "decorative" item - it is so ugly! Ha..ha..ha...

 

I used to have a jewelry box similar to this that was made in Italy in the 60s , but it had wood knobs as handles . The only reason I say Italy is because it had a sticker on the back .

 

There were a lot of "Florentine" chests made in Italy that had gilt and paint that were more refined and quite popular. I like this chest better I think it's more interesting even if more rustic.

 

@johnnycb09, @say_it_slowly Oh! Thank you so much! I just searched Florentine jewelry chests and found so many similar kind and what surprised me all of them.... look "funny" like mine! Very interesting. I am so happy every time, when learn something new.

 

You and I both!!