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AI Appraisal
Description
The chest was built in 1937 and is called a Dowery Chest according to Lane Co. I have seen many hope chests but none with the back trinket trays and clock.
Style # 48-1257
Serial # 731350
Category
American Furniture
Medium
Walnut and cedar
Distinguishing marks
Lane
Condition
Good
Size and dimensions of this item
48"x193/4"x31
Date Period
1937
History
In family
eBay Auction Link
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Re: 1937 Lane Dowery Chest
We get dozens of cedar chests through here every month, they were made in huge numbers, Lane being one of the largest makers of them. For the most part they tend to sell for less than $300.00 if in good condition, quite a bit less at auction.
Re: 1937 Lane Dowery Chest
I've looked at all the Lane chests which were appraised and none had the back with the clock and trinket trays. I've looked at the ads from that time and they didn't show this item.
Ebay also has nothing close.
Re: 1937 Lane Dowery Chest
The fact it has a clock has little effect on it's value. Lane has produced over 14,000,000 cedar chests, of which most are still around in attics, basements and barns all over North America. these chests are not a huge seller in the current market, demand peaked for them in the early 1990's.
Re: 1937 Lane Dowery Chest
I found a Lane ad dated 1942 that had this chest featured. It is a 2 page ad entitled "This Lane gift whispers of happiness to come". In the upper left corner is a picture of a lovely lady with a military man standing behind her. Your chest is on the second page in the upper right corner just below the plain chest pictured. This ad shows up on Ebay at times and on Etsy and Pinterest.
Your piece is MAGNIFICANT. Very good condition to say the least. There are Lane Cedar Chest enthusiasts still out there....me included.....who would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have this piece. Consider yourself blessed and lucky to have it. I have no clue what the value is. I know what I would be willing to pay for this but that doesn't mean that price is accurate. If I really love something and want it, I will pay a higher price for it, especially if it is in pristine condition. All you can do is decide what kind of price you want to ask but be willing to negotiate. I live by the motto: Something is only as valuable as someone is willing to pay.
Enjoy your treasure.