| Antique Barrel Stave Trunk Tray Circa 1875 SOLD Measuring a graceful size 33.5"L X 25.5"H X 19.5"W, this antique trunk comes from the early to mid 1870's and originally was a paper covered trunk although its covering took another fork in the road years ago it seems. Paper first saw use during the American Civil War when such things as leather, canvas, and metal were more needed in the war effort. Lot's of leather boots, holsters, saddles, and canvas tents used as it were. After the war, the paper remained popular and in use for several more years. The exterior is lightly finished wood and I would say it is toned like old walnut or cherry with a sort of classic faded brown color. On the top of this trunk is a break in the wood which looks as if something substantial in weight had fallen on it from above. I pushed it as much as it would go and applied a wood glue but it would not push all the way too and forcing it more than I was seemed unwise. As is, there is a slight gap at the end but no daylight present and you cannot see the inside from the outside. If you imagine the break being almost a horizontal slice as long as your thumb, most of it is rejoined. Just at the end, like your fingernail to tip, the wood is thin and trying to go straight where the trunk is bending. Pushing on it excessively hard to make it bend more just not possible without breaking. It is sound, just there. New short leather straps in the style of the old with roller buckles were applied as well as new handles. Opens and closes perfectly. Good sturdy trunk, smooth to the touch, and with warm character. The inside retains a drop down compartment with colored paper and chromolithograph picture. Dropping down the compartment reveals a storage area and the original paper is present. Some water staining on the paper in the compartment but nothing above that or "bad" and everything has been placed under a protective coating. The remainder of the trunk is finished wood. No tray was present when found so I added a nice deep tray which is itself 100 years old. |
