Wardrobe cabinet

Date/maker? Only thing i can see is the j.t. batts hardware inside. In reading looks like it would be after 1929 with that. Also restoration ideas.

 

Looks like some sort of Cedar cabinet....will leave the dating up to others.......@verybrad ?? Are those shelving sleeves just on the left? And you still need to post your images FULL SIZE!! It makes it easier for ALL members trying to help YOU!!! Again, measurements please??

 

At first glance,with those latches,I thought a refrigerator.Looks like cedar,wich is probably why its still in one piece.

 

Those do look like they were for shelves.

 

I think it is important to try to save the original finish on a piece like this. I confess to refinishing a number of pieces in this shape back in the 70's because I didn't know any better. I regret it now. My cousin use to refinish pieces for my mom's antique store and when she tired of stripping off all the old finishes she began using diluted ammonia and rubbing down the the piece . She found it softened the finish, cleaned it and then sort of spread the finish back over the piece smoothly. After it dried it was like she had put a new coat of finish. She was very good at it. Ammonia is paint thinner . Some of the pros may have a different idea. I have done this technique on boxes but not large pieces.

 

Thanks I'll give that a try in an inconspicuous spot first an go from there.

 

American aromatic red cedar...I believe..

 

Did you find this about the company? Seems they invented the still ubiquitous "wishbone" wooden hanger. They specialized in store fixtures so we might assume your piece was designed for retail rather than home usage.

http://www.coachbuilt.com/des/b/batts/batts.htm

Debora

 

On the other hand... This does appear to be a wardrobe cabinet designed for domestic use. (Same patent number on latch.) It's fitted through so I'd think yours, with a series of stacked shelves, was designed for retail storage.

https://hibid.com/lot/85624-279622-2023657/43--23--56--antique-j-t--batts-wardrobe-cabinet/

Debora

 

And OP's identical latch never did get posted so one could see it......

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Although... does cedar makes it more likely to have been designed for domestic use?

Debora

 

I did read about the Batts being the designers of the wishbone hanger. Thanks for all of your input on it. Wish I had some original shelves for it.

 

Late to the party but agree with what info has been provided. Circa 1930 cedar closet. Appears to be missing feet.

Lark's method for re-amalgamating a finish may work, as ammonia is a weak solvent. A faster method would be to use lacquer thinner. However, you need to work quickly and be careful as not to remove too much of the of finish.

 

Thanks Brad for the correct words -re-amalgamating a finish- I didn't have a clue as to what to call it. I will try the lacquer thinner myself next time although I hardly do any refinishing any more. Those days are over.