Old hope chest

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Posted by Anbrainard40
4 years ago
AI Appraisal
💬 6 Comments 🗣️ Discuss with Community
Description I have this old chest with wooden wheels. It appears to be cedar. There are absolutely zero markings that identify this. Juat someone who wrote something on the bottom. I am trying to find out more info about how old this is, who made it and what it is worth. Thank you!
Category American Furniture
Medium Cedar wood
Distinguishing marks Nothing I can find
Condition Good
Size and dimensions of this item Inside of chest: 11"×14.5×30.5"
Overall: 16.75" high, 17" deep, 34.25" wide.
History It was a gift. I know nothing about it. It is relatively good shape, minus some paint marks from rubbing against a wall.
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Submitted by MarkBlemish

I think the writing on the bottom says 4550 or 455Y. I first started googling no name cedar hope chest but then thought about the wheels and came across this https://findanyanswer.com/when-did-furniture-have-wooden-wheels That made me wonder if this could be quite old and maybe more valuable. I don’t know and my first thought was it was someone’s wood shop project as my dad made a nice one for my mom. So, no great info except those appear to be numbers when you turn it upside down. The wood wheels and maybe the metal casters and or brass plates might help if someone knows.

I saw that writing too but just figured it wasn't anything important because of it being written the way it is. It isn't a stamp or anything. But I also admit I know zero about antiques. I found the closest chest to this that looks very close to it and it is a Caswell Runyon cedar chest. Thanks for the help! :)

You did better than me (I don’t know much about antiques either, do lots of google searches). There was one on this site and I think the brass or copper plate and the side adornments show you’re right https://instappraisal.com/appraisal/caswell-runyan-cedar-chest-6 This same maker different style one sold for $300. This one went for less than the asking price (doesn’t show what it actually sold for) https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Antique-Cedar-TREASURES-HOPE-Chest-Caswell-Runyan-TENNESSEE-RED-CEDAR-/324360294036?hash=item4b85614e94%3Ag%3A8GMAAOSw53FfogHM&nma=true&si=AWklQ2B4kQxk3q1DHEnRZRug25M%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 None of these are your style but they’re what is up for sell on eBay now https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Caswell+Runyan+cedar+chest&_sacat=66854&LH_TitleDesc=0&rt=nc A little info here about the company http://www.huntingtoncountytab.com/community/8192/caswell-runyan-topic-next-historical-group-meet And more info https://www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/caswell-runyan-cedar-chests

Thank you! They do look similar huh? I really think that is who made it, but I don't understand why there is no stamp.

Submitted by Lovejoy

The Caswell Runyan Company set up shop in 1907, founded by J W Caswell and Winifred Runyan, they operated until about 1956. This one dates from the early years of the company probably before 1925 when pieces in Historical Revival styles were most popular. Values for these current are modest, most sell for under $200.00.
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Appraisal values are estimates based on submitted information, publicly available data, and input from InstAppraisal community, and may vary due to condition, provenance, regional demand, or additional information.

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