Indonesian Cabinet?

Lee · 20th November 2022, 07:24 PM

I succumbed to this rather massive piece of furniture at a local antique show yesterday. The dealer was told at the originating estate sale that it was brought back from Indonesia (Bali?) several decades ago. The doors on the front open into a single large interior space. Does anyone have any insights to share?

Rick · 22nd November 2022, 01:16 AM

Is it about 4 feet tall, Lee?
It looks like it is fastened together with small pegs instead of nails. Any idea of the type of wood used? The doors are charmingly mismatched.

Is that a meditation gong in the left background that I see?

Lee · 22nd November 2022, 03:18 PM

It is about 55 inches in total height, including the the extent of the posts above the top and has a similar width. The whole thing is held together by wooden pegs and mortise and tenon joints. Clearly all hand work. The dealer said it was teak wood. The bowl gong is a Japanese temple gong; there is an old mallet (not shown) for striking it. The gong came out of the J&J field in Brimfield years ago.

It does get worse. From the same dealer this last summer and from the same estate of origin, this dowry chest / bench. Again, only wooden pegs and clever mortise and tenon joints.

Rick · 22nd November 2022, 05:35 PM

Hi Lee,
Is the second piece (w/television) Indonesian as well?
I'll bet the pegs used on the first one are bamboo.

Lee · 27th November 2022, 01:51 PM

Per the dealer, both are from the same estate and were brought back by a family member from Bali decades ago. The pegs appear to be of the same wood as the main elements.

20th November 2022, 07:24 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Indonesian Cabinet? I succumbed to this rather massive piece of furniture at a local antique show yesterday. The dealer was told at the originating estate sale that it was brought back from Indonesia (Bali?) several decades ago. The doors on the front open into a single large interior space. Does anyone have any insights to share? Attached Images

22nd November 2022, 03:18 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	It is about 55 inches in total height, including the the extent of the posts above the top and has a similar width. The whole thing is held together by wooden pegs and mortise and tenon joints. Clearly all hand work. The dealer said it was teak wood. The bowl gong is a Japanese temple gong; there is an old mallet (not shown) for striking it. The gong came out of the J&J field in Brimfield years ago. It does get worse. From the same dealer this last summer and from the same estate of origin, this dowry chest / bench. Again, only wooden pegs and clever mortise and tenon joints. Attached Images

22nd November 2022, 01:16 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Is it about 4 feet tall, Lee? It looks like it is fastened together with small pegs instead of nails. Any idea of the type of wood used? The doors are charmingly mismatched. Is that a meditation gong in the left background that I see?

22nd November 2022, 05:35 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Hi Lee, Is the second piece (w/television) Indonesian as well? I'll bet the pegs used on the first one are bamboo.

27th November 2022, 01:51 PM	#5
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	Per the dealer, both are from the same estate and were brought back by a family member from Bali decades ago. The pegs appear to be of the same wood as the main elements.