Let's restore some dignity to this cedar chest

[Thumbthumper]

Polishing polishing polishing.

Starting to build a good shine now.

WP_20131130_004.jpg

I temporarily added the escutcheons and knobs to see how things were looking.

WP_20131130_003.jpg

I also trimmed the bun feet to stop a bit of rocking.

WP_20131130_001.jpg

Back outside for some more polishing

[Thumbthumper]

Drum roll please ......

All finished. Waxed and buffed.

We've come from this ...

WP_20130920_002.jpg

To this ...

IMGP8616.jpgIMGP8615.jpg

A colleague at work saw the WIP pics and said "mine", so it's off to it's new home on the weekend.
This has had it's good moments, and the result is satisfying, but a complete rebuild like this is going to be only for stuff I really want to keep for myself in the future.

Next projects are more card boxes and a martial arts dummy (go figure) for commission.

Thanks to all who had a look.
Until next time.

Cheers,
Stu

[Rickey Herb]

Great work Stu. Really enjoyed the thread. Good to see things being rescued rather than just thrown out.

Rickey

[Horsecroft88]

Hey Stu such a great result. I am certain the new custodian of the chest will have many years of enjoyment of it. But I agree with you re such future full restorations. Much nicer to be able to keep them. Well done, have enjoyed your thread on this

[scrounger]

that's some great work & it turned out to be a lovely piece.

[restoration]

Hi Stu,
Your piece seems very similar in style (particularly the top) as the piece I'm looking at starting work on. Id be interested if anyone gave any advice on the style/possible maker?
Cheers
Matt
I'll be stoked if mine looks as good as yours ended up!

[Thumbthumper]

Hi Stu,
Your piece seems very similar in style (particularly the top) as the piece I'm looking at starting work on. Id be interested if anyone gave any advice on the style/possible maker?
Cheers
Matt
I'll be stoked if mine looks as good as yours ended up!

Hi Matt,

I've had a look at your dutchess and it looks Edwardian/Federation. I'm guessing early 1900's.
The plinth base can signify an early piece, but the mirror finials and headboard carving scream federation to me.
A lot of dutchesses had the mirror and top drawers removed, and were used as a normal chest of drawers.
I've restored a few of this type that met the same fate.

These were made these in the thousands by many makers. It is very rare to find a makers mark (especially in early pieces). A lot of them had paper trade labels which fell off after a few years.

Good luck with the resto.

Cheers,
Stu