Posted 12 years ago
kimjcmurphy
(15 items)
After some help from "trunkman", he thought maybe this was an 1800s Dowry trunk. No question, it is handmade, tongue and groove, and wrough iron hardware. No machine-made construction of any element.
Thoughts? Value? I have been using this as a coffee table for years-
Thanks for the close up pictures. The nails on the corner pieces do not look hand forged (although they may have smoothed over with wear) -- so that would place the trunk in the 19th century, maybe mid 1800's by the look of the hand forged handle. You had a picture of either the interior hinges on the lid or underneath that looked like cast iron pieces - a clear close up of that section may help. Nails help to discern age, so a close up of a nail head underneath if there is one would help. Just replace your last picture and give us a look see.
Will do over the weekend. Thanks again for all your info-
More thoughts, anyone?