Here's another, "Is it or isn't it."

Ummm um. A handsome sight!

It's a 1930-40 vintage medium "Hope Chest," otherwise described as a Cedar Chest. The question I'm wanting to answer here is the one many ask, "Is it a Lane?" In this particular instance I really don't know. The obvious serial/model number on its marvelous backside doesn't look "Lane." But that may have more to do with my ignorance than it has anything to do with the chest's historic identity. 

What you see in the (top) picture is the almost completed refinish/"restoration." Compare it to what it looked like when it came into the shop (below). As you can see it  had a lot of battle scars, not the least of which--and the most visually grabbing--was a very large water spot on the center, front edge of the lid. The Walnut veneer was badly checked and split in that spot and it was also deeply discolored. Bummer!

 

With that kind of insult and its accompanying discoloration in the veneer, any anticipation of it's complete removal is generally poor. But that doesn't mean we can't hope and try...right?! So we did, and I think we realized a marvelous return on our "hope investment." (What do you think?) So, understandably, this handsome guy is begging to go home. When that finally does happen a lot of it's furniture compadres will do a jaw drop as they see this handsome guy reappear. 

Monday, one more top coat and some generous hand buffing will find it ready for a timely home delivery. 

That's Wood Talkin for today. Keep listening.