Spice Box

[Jeff L Headley]

Cool box. Mahogany , white pine, yellow pine, and poplar. Lots of neat and interesting features. No secert compartments on this one though

 

[Jeff L Headley]

5th left drawer bottom

 

[Jeff L Headley]

The drawer above

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Oh! By the way there is a missing gallery. Screws are there but no gallery.

 

[Ed Griner]

That's very nifty Jeff, what do you know about the history of it?

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Ed, Nifty is an appropriate description. This piece came out of a house in Loudoun County, Virginia. Check out the escutcheon on the side of the case. 

 

[Dan_B]

does it still have the front door?

 

[ttalma]

That's a really neat piece. Be sure to measure it up before it leaves. I couldn't quite make out the text on the side of the drawer, any idea what it says? any idea who the portrait is? How was the case made? was there any evedance of molding?

The corner cupboard in the background looks interesting as well.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Dan, No door.    ?
Tim, I have the measurements. I hope this piece won't leave. Please don't tell my wife!!!!!!!!!!! I know this isn't good for business but I am a hoarder!!! (maybe another name might be collector) agian don't tell my wife.
The text on the side of the drawer I am still working on. I do have an idea but it isn't completely clear yet. The portrait, I have no idea other than probably English.
Construction... Solid Mahogany case sides. Three dovetailed rail into the top of the sides, with the top screwed down onto the rails. A solid secondary bottom dovetailed into the case sides with the front overlaid with mahogany.  All rails overlaid with Mahogany. Drawer are constructed then the face is overlaid with Mahogany. Bottom battened flat molding applied under case bottom and sides then overlaid with Mahogany. Turned feet are fastened to bottom battened flat base mold by turned tenons.
The Corner cupboard is another Eastern Shore of Virginia Corner Cupboard with the door hinged to the 22 1/2 degree angled of the case side.

 

[Dan_B]

it had a door at one time, right?? aren't those hinge recesses on the front

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Dan, Yes this piece had a door. If it had the door I wouldn't have it. With the turned feet and a galley I am thinking a tombstone door or?

 

[msiemsen]

Jeff,
When do you think it was made. It looks Empire to me.
I would think the back of the door would be flush with the frame of the door so the drawers couldn't open as the drawers appear to be recessed the length of the pulls. Something about it makes me wonder if it was meant to travel?
Mike

 

[Jeff L Headley]

I am thinking 1810 - 1820.  Later would be much heavier. I am also thinking Baltimore to Annapolis or up the Chesapeake bay and it's tributaries with it's secondary woods considered. All construction is true Federal but the overlaid drawer fronts make me put it towards the late Federal period. All drawers are stopped at the back. But I am no expert.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

The front base support originally did not have nails. There were four modern nails added from an earlier repair. This piece was originally just glued. The side base supports probably compromised the front base support.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Please notice the back inside corner cut. You will see this on countless period pieces. Attention to an unseen detail.

 

[farms100]

Please notice the back inside corner cut. You will see this on countless period pieces. Attention to an unseen detail.

I assume your talking about the base that the feet are set into. What is the point of the cut? or is it simply a case of there was some stray splinter/blow out from sawing?

 

[klkirkman]

I was fortunate to be around some old time craftsmen at times , and such "thoughtfulness"  was a habit with them. They never handed a piece of metal to someone without de-burring it, and even if they were making a wood cleat for a shipping box, they broke the edges.

They also never borrowed or loaned edge tools.

Karl

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Karl, This angled feature becomes a standard with many if not most of the period pieces I've seen. Most tenons will also be beveled at their tips (on all four sides) to help except their mortise. This should be a feature that one's tenons should have. This helps with splitting or cracking around the mortise.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

This spice box had a gallery. I have made a new old door. What might be your choice? Just a bead to accent the simple door frame or (next post please)?

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Maybe the same bead with a scallop that might match the gallery above the new old door. How many spice chests from the central Atlantic region has any one seen with a gallery. Maybe, gallery,  isn't the right term. The top is shy of the back by 3/8" with old screws still in place. This addition is only on the back and not wraping around the side or at least no nail holes to be seen. Again this piece is Mahogany with white pine and polpar and yellow pine.