HELP Identifying Old Cabinet 1800s??

Patriot Relics · Jan 4, 2015

Hey guys,

Picked this cabinet up over the weekend and am trying to identify it's original purpose and age. The hardwood appears to be oak with a light stain and has an old locking mechanism.

GibH · Jan 4, 2015

Craftsman or mission style wardrobe.

Patriot Relics · Jan 4, 2015

Hey Gib,

Any thoughts on age or value? Also seems strange that a wardrobe would have ventilation designed into it.

GibH · Jan 4, 2015

Sorry, I can't really say. I'm far from expert on furniture. I'm sure someone will have an idea though. Very nice looking piece.

bc8888 · Jan 4, 2015

I would guess that it is a Pie Safe with the Ventilation, possibly home / hand made? Most Pie Safes have punched tin inserts

billn1956 · Jan 4, 2015

Its a wardrobe, probaly some thing like they used in India or some where .where it was moist and with out the ventalation the cloths would rot.

billn1956 · Jan 4, 2015

darn ,I do envie you finding stuff like that..congrats

Patriot Relics · Jan 4, 2015

The constructions is fairly crude- my initial guess was pie safe, but like bc8888 mentioned...they are usually made of tin.

diggummup · Jan 5, 2015

It appears to have a missing shelf. Maybe it was removed by the same person who cut the rectangular hole in the back of it (for a power cord)? You never stated the actual dimensions of the piece. I think it was originally made for the kitchen or even a commercial application such as a general store or restaurant. It could be used as a cupboard for dry goods or to hold pies, cured meats or what have you. There are similar modern ones-

ARC · Jan 5, 2015

It is not a wardrobe... or used for clothes in any way.
It is a kitchen cabinet.
Pie safe / pie chest / baked goods chest.
OR used for food storage of some kind.

trdhrdr007 · Jan 5, 2015

Not trying to be offensive but.....looks to me like something that might have come from pottery barn designed to look old & hold a tv.

Paleo_joe · Jan 5, 2015

Modern TV armoire is my guess. Probably from Indonesia. Is the workmanship a little more crude than it ought to be? I had a similar curio cabinet. Just my $0.02 - can't really tell much from a pic.

ARC · Jan 5, 2015

Which pictures are you looking at ? the thread starter... or the pics submitted by postee?
There is a huge difference between the two sets of pictures posted here.
Second set is obviously a modern copy.
The thread set of pics... this cannot seriously be suspected of being modern... UNLESS it was purposely faked to deceive.
That is not a "decretive look" that is slapped out in some sweat shop.

PS> CAN YOU PLEASE POST PHOTOS - CLOSE UPS IN MACRO - of the ring pulls and locks BOTH inside and out... AND of back of cabinet... PLUS any close of of scews / nails/ fasteners etc.
The truth will be in the details..

GibH · Jan 5, 2015

Dimensions would be helpful as well.

ARC · Jan 5, 2015

GibH said:
Dimensions would be helpful as well.

AHHH Yes ! that too

clovis97 · Jan 5, 2015

Personally, just judging by the pics, I don't think that the cabinet is old at all. I believe it is a modern piece made to look old.

The first glimpse told me "that is a new piece with an antique type finish", and studying it closer, I still feel the same way.

Patriot Relics · Jan 5, 2015

Hey guys,

Dimensions are 69" tall 24" deep 35" wide. Construction is definitely not modern as the dowel rods are each hand turned and non uniform. The oak as well shows considerable age and has split in places. As previously pointed out, it was re purposed by the previous owner as a tv cabinet (hence the small wholes cut in the back). The locking mech fits late 1800's keys I have found in the past (a feature missing from modern replicas). Thanks for the help!

ARC · Jan 5, 2015

vmiairpwr07 said:
Hey guys,

Dimensions are 69" tall 24" deep 35" wide. Construction is definitely not modern as the dowel rods are each hand turned and non uniform. The oak as well shows considerable age and has split in places. As previously pointed out, it was re purposed by the previous owner as a tv cabinet (hence the small wholes cut in the back). The locking mech fits late 1800's keys I have found in the past (a feature missing from modern replicas). Thanks for the help!

EHHhhhh ? the pics ?
I need the pics if you want further info
please read my earlier post

Patriot Relics · Jan 5, 2015

Pictures to follow!

Patriot Relics · Jan 5, 2015

Here are some close ups of the hardware. The construction is a mix of inlay posts and nails. The inconsistent color in the first pick is due to the oil I applied to the wood.