Need help, old carved thing. What is it?
bduffin104
| Posted in General Discussion on
I’ve had this old portion of some sort of cabinet for 30 – 40 years and have never known what it is. I think it’s English Walnut and looks like it was made only using hand tools. The end panels are veneer on solid pine and in need of repair. I only have what you see in the photos plus some misc. small moldings. I get a kick out of the carved faces, they are all a little different. I added the plywood (which I can remove), experimenting with maybe making into a bench or love seat. It has some shallow mortises where there were some hinges. . Any ideas on what this once was, where it was made or how old it might be? How about some ideas on what I should make it into other than the sofa I was thinking about?
Replies
It may have been a judge's
It may have been a judge's bench from the era when english judges wrote the proceedings as the case progressed. The end cabs would have housed the stationery, hence the hinged doors. The writing desk was inset. Your plywood now fills in the knee space. I had built a copy for a more modern english judge. The length was to accommodate the members of a tribunal.
Lapun.
I might have thought the same thing about the knee hole space, but there is that VERY substantial bottom apron that would be a real shin skinner/stopper!!
I think it might just be a "library desk"--flat top--a pretty massive and impressive one at that. The end cabinets might be for anything, and there was probably a shelf spanning between the two cabinets on the bottom. In other words, just a big ornate table to display things in a big ornate room.
I think it might make a pretty interesting "love seat" with some nice cushions on the seat.
Do the side cubbies have holes in the vertical rails from what would have been hinges for doors ?
It's definitely unique - those masks look evil !
It's also a very low cabinet for whatever it was used for.
Did you strip it - or is it just a very light color ?
SA
Looks like it could have been a sofa with cushions .
Gargoyle style
regards dusty
The wood was stripped when I got it. Both the side compartments and the bottom of the middle section have hinge mortises. My guess is that it's is just the base portion of a much larger cabinet that set on top of this part. I do not have enough of the original pieces to do a restoration. I think I'll go with the love seat idea and upholster over the top of the two ends and try to use as much as the original carving exposed. I just don't want to commit some sort of sin by doing so. I wish I could put a date on it. My GUESS is 18th century and was made in England.
It reminds me of a cabinet that would be in a formal dining room, where the silverware,dining linens and serving bowls/dishes were stored.
The middle part would of had drawers and/or doors.
There's a name for it but I can't think of it.
good morning,
those carved faces are very well done.
eef
good morning,
those carved faces are very well done. as is all of the carving. the work looks at least 200 years old, european and quite skilled.
eef
I don't think it is 18th
I don't think it is 18th century - probably a revival piece - a quality old carved cupboard - or maybe display cabinet ?
SA
the carving looks very old and traditional. the hand that executed it was conversant in that style. one does not see much of it outside of well preserved museum pieces and the like.
eef
The Faces are "Green Men". Here is an interesting article. Your mystery piece may have had an ecclesiastical use, part of a Church alter or some such.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man
Bill
I have often accused the "little green man" of hiding my tools. Now I know I was right.
Thank you.
I have no idea what it could have been other than a few of the guesses above - however - it is friggin cool and If I had it - it would become a desk.
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