Primitive Heavily Carved Exquisite Massive Chest/Trunk
Rare Find! Primitive Unique Astonishing, Museum Quality
| Start Price |
USD 7,500.00 |
| Current Price |
USD 7,500.00 |
| Time Left |
- |
| Bid Count |
0 |
| Buy It Now Price |
USD 10,000.00 |
| Reserve Price |
- |
| Start Time |
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 |
| End Time |
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 |
| Location |
Central Texas |
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See more about 'Primitive Heavily Carved Exquisite Massive Chest/Trunk'
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Description
Heavily Carved Exquisite Massive Chest/Trunk Description: Astounding, phenomenal, exquisite, are truly the words that came into my mind when I first saw this deeply and gracefully carved chest or trunk. The carvings cover three sides and the lid, extending all the way to the edges of each side. Only the back and underside of the trunk are left unadorned. This trunk is massive and enormously heavy, and the lidded wooden chest is equipped with forged iron hardware, including the original locking mechanism and the the original key, which has an "incomplete 8-shape" mechanism at the business end of the key, that fits into the lock on the front of the chest. It has massive, round, ball feet, and enormous tongue and grooved joints that are visible mainly at the back of the trunk. I am only able to post four photos on this page, so please, by all means, let me treat you to the photos I've taken of the key, the back and undersides of the trunk, close-ups of the feet and the coat-of-arms that adorns the lid of the chest. There is also a little chest within the chest, that sits sideways, joined to the front and back of the chest, with a gracefully carved lower edge and a lid that lifts up by means of dowels. There are so many astonishing and exquisite details to this trunk that you just have to see more than four photos to really appreciate what is for sale here. This was truly someone's masterpiece and had to have been a gift of love that must have completely won someone's heart when it was presented. I can't imagine that there could be another one like this anywhere. When you see it in person, there's no doubt that it's a true labor of love that look a very long time to create. The carvings are imaginative, deft, masterful, and perfectly lovely. To give you a description of just a few of those details that comprise the ornamentation of this masterpiece, the central focus has to be the coat of arms that adorns the lid at it's center (photo on this page), with a crescent moon on one side of the shield and a tree on the other side. The edges of the lid are just lovely, in a flowing, graceful, three-dimensional design that seems to have been carved free-form. Then there's the hardware and the locking mechanism. All the hardware is original, and has endured for centuries, in spite of being surprisingly light in weight. At the center front of the trunk, is a large, filigreed circle that frames the locking mechanism. It is in near-perfect condition. The key also has a filigreed circle, not an exact match for the circle on the trunk but very pretty in its own right. The feet are a wonder all to themselves. Enormous near-perfectly round and also heavily carved, they are so firmly attached to the bottom of the trunk that it almost seems as if they're actually a part of the trunk, rather than being attached to the trunk. The boards that comprise the trunk are nearly an inch thick The inside of the trunk is comparatively simple, compared to the outside. There is a little lidded box on one side of the chest, with a decoratively carved lower edge. The lid works just fine and the little inside box is in very good shape. The inside of the trunk, as well as the outside, has been kept amazingly clean and free of any kind of inflicted damage. No major chips, scars, or other concerns except that in one or two spots, the wood has split slightly, probably the result of being in alternately dry and humid climates over the centuries. Please be sure to look at both sets of photos (four in the area with the gray background and eleven or twelve in the actual photo area). Please feel free to email if there's any other part of the chest you'd like to to photograph. I'll be happy to do this. There are only a couple of concerns that I found with this trunk, and I've carefully done what was needed to prevent any permanent, unrepairable damage. These are things that would have to be done in order to restore it and will ensure much safer shipping with the steps I've taken. I discovered that the hinge mechanisms had become somewhat loose from their housings on the back of the trunk. They are secured to the trunk with the ancient type of nails that form the shape of an upside down "L." I was able to gently remove the nails without damaging them and they will be included in a separate pouch, along with the key to the lock. I will be shipping the lid of the box cushioned, wrapped and protected, detached from the lower part of the chest, and the hinges will be attached to the lid, requiring only reattachment of the other end of the hinges to the back of the box. Both the hinges and the piece of metal that flips down over the locking mechanism to secure the lid to the box, have been bent inward, which is what caused the nails to begin to extrude. Someone who works in ornamental iron will need to be consulted to heat and then bend these pieces back to the position that will allow them to lay flat against the back of the box. I'll include photos of the hinges to show their condition, as well as close-ups of the lock, the filigreed circle surrounding the lock, and other metal pieces on the trunk. Other than this, the only other problem I could find is that the feet show some evidence of having been worm or termite eaten, but I could find nowhere on the feet where there seemed to be any ongoing or current infestation whatever. All the wood surfaces feel hard and solid when pressed. As with anything this ancient, there are always some areas where there has been some degree of distress. Miraculously, on this chest, there are precious few. Please contact me with any questions, to see additional photos, and for any information you might have to offer as to the coat of arms that is front and center on the top of the chest. I would be most grateful for any insights into the origins of this beautiful piece. Don't miss the chance to own this exquisite and wonderfully preserved example of true love expressed in wood. It is simply a masterpiece! Buyer agrees to choose a carrier, arrange for pickup, and pay for the crating or packaging, insuring, and delivery of this chest. Do not bid unless you are willing to do this. If purchased via "Buy it Now," buyer agrees to pay immediately following purchase via Paypal. For a standard bid and closing, winner agrees to pay via Paypal or bank transfer within 24 hours of close or to forward check or money order so that they are received by me within five days of auction close. Please do not bid unless you are willing and able to complete this transaction in this manner. Reference#: 17 Condition: Amazingly good for age! Year: Ancient Country: USA Maker: Unknown Height: 26 in. (66.04 cm) Depth: 22.5 in. (57.15 cm) Width: 44 in. (111.76 cm) Title: Heavily Carved Exquisite Massive Chest/Trunk Materials: Wood & Iron Type: Primitive Image hosting services provided by GoAntiques Member of GoAntiquesYour source for antiques, art and collectibles
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