A little chest ... and an amazing contents

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by fernando

A portuguese small chest made of oak wood. Surely old, 18th or even 17th century, judging by the iron work and wooden nails; correction will be gladly accepted.
I wouldn't know its purpose, whether multi use or a specific activity.
Messures are 44 X 30 X 30 cms.
But what it brings this to attention is its interesting contents. Made of bone, i gather these are sweing devices ... needle and all.
Anyone here knows when steel sweing needles appeared or, better, when bone sweing needles were actvive, assuming these are actualy sewing tools ?
The largest one measures 8 cms.

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Salaams Fernando... I will have a guess and state that you have here a specialized carpenters toolbox ...The carpenter a specialist in cabinet making ...I have a Portuguese/ Goan small chest which I will post picture... inlaid with simple Ivory though I have seen very intricate designs also...The Key is the same or similar on my item. This looks like a European wood as you say "Oak" whereas here they tended to be Jacaranda wood. Very Interesting.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Fernando... I will have a guess and state that you have here a specialized carpenters toolbox ...The carpenter a specialist in cabinet making ...I have a Portuguese/ Goan small chest which I will post picture... inlaid with simple Ivory though I have seen very intricate designs also...The Key is the same or similar on my item. This looks like a European wood as you say "Oak" whereas here they tended to be Jacaranda wood. Very Interesting.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Maybe ... maybe not, Ibrahiim. Carpenter boxes would have a more practical shape; not with that faceted chest top, not so many iron work and not so small; those sections would hardly support carpenter tools. And that 'secret' compartment beneath the top looks more like being for a domestic purpose.
My assumption that the wood is oak is based on the guy that sold it to me, who works in the timber trade.