The slats are probably chestnut and have no splits or repairs to them. The lid lift is solid brass and had to be coated with a transparent black paint and clear coated in order for it not to look too shiny. There is a photographic anomaly on the right hand side that looks like some sort of gray spot. This does not really exist.
The trunk is level and does not rock on a level surface. The transparent ruby red is accomplished with ink and lacquer over a black paint background on the original tin metal covering.
The lock is brass plated and has been clear coated with a specialized lacquer.
The pine tray is original to the trunk but has had some repairs done to it. Originally covered in low grade wallpaper.
The ornate end pieces have been polished and black paint applied to the crevices and then clear coated. Adds a lot of depth to the trunk.
The old broken leather handles have been replaced with new heavy gauge ones. The strips have been dyed and waxed. The covers have been cleverly painted in such a way as to look old. The highlights have had the paint rubbed off and polished.
The back side of the trunk reveals hinges that are very strong for their size.
The bottom slats are replacements and have been aged and distressed to make them look old. Much of the structural integrity of the trunk comes from the bottom slats. The wheels are reproductions and have been clear coated with lacquer. To this day, more than 10 years later, the lacquer coating is still entact. The slats were dug out so that the wheels could be recessed into the wood. It is the only spot on the trunk with screws. The slats were glued and then hammered on with specialized nails that curl in on themselves when hammered against a piece of heavy iron. A very tough fastener from another time period.
The interior was originally wallpapered, but now it has been stained and finished with a satin polyurethane. Have heard that refinishing the interior would cause the trunk to twist and buckle because wood needs to breathe. This is certainly not true and not sure where or how this myth developed. One of the pine knots is not original to the trunk and had to be carved and inserted. More than a pint of wood glue was used in the repair of this trunk.
A reproduction lithograph which was glued on and then several coats of polyurethane coated on top of it so that it blends well with the wood finish.
Antique Ruby Trunk, Circa 1875
A collection of images from a finished restoration of a beautiful antique dome top trunk complete with inner tray and working lock with 2 keys.
Dimensions : Width 30.5 in. x Depth 16 in. x Height 19.75 in.
The flash from the camera makes the trunk look more rough, dusty or dirty than it really is. The trunk looks much nicer in person than the dark photographs indicate. You can zoom in on the images if you mouse over them. During autoplay zoom is disabled.
Valued in the range of $575 - $675.