I have this hope chest I want to sell. I don't know what it is worth? Can anyone assist me? It is in very good condition, minus a couple of scratches on the exterior. The inside is in excellent condition.
There is no serial number or brand name on it.
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First off who made the hope chest? Normally there is some sort of label on the hope chest that will give you the manufacture and also the style number of the hope chest. If you look online hope chests are listed for $150-250. This is the normal asking price range for these chests. The price people sell them for is different than the asking price. Most hope chests are currently selling for around $135. Not a lot of people are buying this sort of item these days. Hope chests are a thing of the past and were actually very popular when mom was a little girl. When I was a teenager in the early 70s my mom wanted me to buy a hope chest and start filling it up.
Is there any marks on the underside of your piece?
It has me very, very curious.
First the top is an amazing waterfall style--Art Deco Design. If this was marked Lane or Roos or one of Shockey it may be valued in the $200-$500 range depending on where you are.
What is puzzling is first, no marks.
Second, the hinges look much newer than what would have been on an authentic from the 1920-1930s era--although I can't see them in person--and maybe I am not seeing them right--but old hingers are thin, fragile looking things--and these look heavier and more sturdy--so may not be original to the piece.
Also, the wood grains on the front are not consistent and I find that really, really odd. Most times the inlay lines up to make a consistent pattern, but this seems off--could be the picture or old eyes.
I am thinking someone made a Frankenpiece with a waterfall top and a bottom or bottoms from several other pieces--it looks like the fronts maybe veneers affixed to the wood affixed to the cedar inside shell.
This is the true danger of looking at photos (even good ones like yours).
If this was mine, I would take it to a reputable antique dealer (although it is not an antique yet--unless it was from 1920--still on the edge of the antique birthday if later) and have them look at it and tell you what you have.
The waterfall top is timeless and on that merit, even if it was a Frankenpiece it may fetch more than most chests fetch (which in today's market is sadly low, low, low.)
Please post back what you learn on this!! I will see if I can find anything else out--but if you beat me to it, I would love to hear back! Thanks for sharing!!
Yw
Your chest looks to be in nice condition but without a brand showing it will most likely not be valued in the high market such as a Roos, Cavalier, Lane or even Murphy.
I found one unbranded cedar chest that has some of the same type design as yours that sold in 2017 for $145.
www.ebth.com/
You can take a look at eBay's sold listings and see what people are paying for name brand and unbranded cedar chests to get an idea as to what to ask for yours.
It is difficult to place a value other than just general, $100 - $250 are the average and most are in the lower end. Items like this are slow sellers and the area you live will have a big bearing on the final value of your chest (local pick up only). Some areas may pay higher prices while another area will have no interest. Values are regional and may differ just a few miles apart.
www.ebay.com/
This is a beautiful piece, the inlay is unique and the condition is great. I only saw similar chest online like yours. This chest is very desirable to buyers . It is a timeless piece that does not loose value and also the gift that keeps giving through generations .
This one is just like mine!! Same pattern, color and everything! I love yours!! Mine was damaged by water and the top looks horrible. I received it from my great grandmother and so when I saw yours it brought me to tears as it looks just like it did when it was given to me. I have refurbished mine, but I still think the original looks best! I am sure you could easily get $200 to $250 for it. Check the bottom or inside by the lock for the brand. It should have a stamp or metal plate.
Oh, one more thing!! My great grandmother originally got hers that is exactly like this one in the early 1920's, so it is definitely an antique.
It is a Franklin Shockley hope chest from Lexington, NC
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