"Maheno" corner cabinet

[Brianne163]

Hi
We have been given a dismantled, poor condition corner cabinet from the "Maheno" wreck on Fraser Island.
It looks like maple.
What is the correct term for the small turned items at the bottom please? Are they finials?
The complete cabinet shown is what it should look like when done.
Thanks
Brian
Maheno cabinet small 6.jpgMaheno cabinet small 2.jpg

[auscab]

Hi Brian ,
Edit . " At the bottom " is its top. I just re read and you probably know that.
Thats Judging by the normal look of corner cabinets and its Escutcheon.
And The turnings with the rail as a whole is a Gallery. You can see them in Brass
, smaller than this and in timber. Just an individual Turning that supports a rail name , a Baluster.

Nice cabinet . How old was the Maheno ? That cabinet looks to be 1870 to 1880 . My guess is the cabinet looks like Mahogany .
And why are the turnings in the broken bit different than the ones in the cabinet ?

Rob

[ian]

From Wikipedia

SS Maheno
Port of Registry Wellington NZ
Launched June 1905
Wrecked on Fraser Island July 1935 "The ship was subsequently stripped of her fittings"

[Brianne163]

Hi Rob
The complete cabinet is a different one to the one we have. The timber in ours is fairly soft and pinkish.

[Brianne163]

You beat me to it Ian, Thanks.
Brian

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Sorry, I couldn't id that timber from the photo. But, in case it helps:

According to Trove, the Daily Commercial News and Shipping List Friday 14 June 1935, writing about the sale of the Maheno to the Japanese:

Owned by the Union Steamship Company, the Maheno was the product of the famous Dumbarton yard of Messrs. William Denny and Sons; long known in the sea-faring world as the 'shuttle' builders— because of the fame and experience and success which the firm had achieved in the fame and experience and success which the firm had achieved in the construction of fast cross-Channel vessels. (The English Channel).

As such, and being English built, a wide range of timbers is possible.

[orraloon]

Dumbarton is in Scotland so English built is not quite correct. As to what timber I can't pick it from the pics but as said mahogany was a popular cabinet timber at the time for high end furnishings. Passenger ships were usually fitted with quality timberwork. Actually most ships were before the world drowned in plastic. Another possibility is that some of the furnishings may be made of New Zealand timbers to please the client. NZ beech perhaps as it is pinkish.
Due to the history of the piece it may be worth looking for expert help with the restoration.
Regards
John

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Aha. I should have said UK -- but then the Scots wouldn't like that either. I stand corrected.

Unfortunately, none of us know from the photo what the timber is. Also, unfortunately, expert restoration help is difficult to find here in Brisbane - I don't know about Hervey Bay.

Brian, if you really need to know the timber PM me and I will give you the contact details for a timber identification expert who I know in Cairns. He does charge of course, and you would have to send him a small sample, but at least you could be sure of what the timber is if you need to make some replacement parts. There is also a timber id expert in Melbourne I think, but don't have his contact details - someone else here might.

David