Small Carved Pine Chest - Do you have any information?
by Joe
(Waynesboro, VA)
Chest as purchased.
This is a small (24"L x 13"W x 13"H) pine chest with very detailed carving which, I believe, is hand done. The hardware has decorations as well. It had been painted white quite recently, but the original finish was a dark stain or flat paint, and had been applied to the inside, outside and over the hardware. I am in the process of removing the paint, and it will be a long process.
I have not been able to find any information on where or when it was created or its intended use. While the carving is very detailed, the chest appears to be more of a utility piece and does not have the finished work of a cabinet maker. Would it be considered primitive or perhaps folk art? Is it American or European (or other)? And when do you think it may have been built?
Also, would you know anything about the original finish? I would like to use something that approximates the original finish on the inside at least.
I would appreciate any information you have.
