A little chest ... and an amazing contents

[Kubur]

Hi Fernando
Is it bone or ivory?
Do you have good photographs of the key?
Best,
Kubur

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi Fernando
Is it bone or ivory?...

I wouldn't know by myself; will ask someone with more knowledge next Monday.

Originally Posted by Kubur

Do you have good photographs of the key? ...

I didn't care to show it as some restorer told me this isn't the original one; period (older) keys would have a different configuration, he said.

.

[Kubur]

Thanks
I' not an expert and it's just my opinion.
I think they are ivory objects (elephant ivory).
I think the key is original and old keys can be like that.
And the metalwork on your chest looks like 18th or even 19th...
15th-17th c. caskets have more elaborated metalwork (like on the picture attached). It's just my opinion. I like old doors and old locks...

[Rick]

Shouldn't the key profile fit the key hole ?
The one shown doesn't seem to .

Those don't look like sewing implements to me .

[Shakethetrees]

The implements are bone. Ivory has a creamy, consistent color not filled by spotting left from marrow channels. The grain should be gently curved parallels that intersect, giving a somewhat "checkered" curving that has no variation in texture. The crudeness of the carving is also an indication of bone, as it as a raw material was not nearly as valuable as real ivory.

They remind me of 1812 POW work made to make a little money during their internment.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Shakethetrees

The implements are bone. Ivory has a creamy, consistent color not filled by spotting left from marrow channels. The grain should be gently curved parallels that intersect, giving a somewhat "checkered" curving that has no variation in texture. The crudeness of the carving is also an indication of bone, as it as a raw material was not nearly as valuable as real ivory.

They remind me of 1812 POW work made to make a little money during their internment.

I am also inclined to assume the little objects are made of bone. Not being practical sewing implements, then they would be something else, possibly miniatures. Not necessarily made by POW; they came with the chest, provenance of a country house in Northern Portugal.

[Shakethetrees]

Originally Posted by fernando

Not necessarily made by POW; they came with the chest, provenance of a country house in Northern Portugal.

Remember that Portugal was within the operational area of the Peninsular Wars, early 19th century.

I don't know if there were detention camps for POW's there, but, of so, this could be the connection.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Rick

Shouldn't the key profile fit the key hole ?
The one shown doesn't seem to .

Those don't look like sewing implements to me .

The key fits perfectly the key hole; not only the into the hole itself but also the 'groove' to let it turn inside the lock.

.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Thanks
I' not an expert and it's just my opinion.
I think they are ivory objects (elephant ivory).
I think the key is original and old keys can be like that.
And the metalwork on your chest looks like 18th or even 19th...
15th-17th c. caskets have more elaborated metalwork (like on the picture attached). It's just my opinion. I like old doors and old locks...

I might be completely wrong but, i find it hard to realize that in the 19th century, chests or other wood works were built with wood nails. As certainly iron works weren't elaborated in all kinds of furniture; rustic pieces would certainly be more simple.