$600 · Restored 1800s Chest

I believe this chest was hand-made in Illinois during the late 1800s. I first completely removed the old wallpaper and chemically deodorized the interior. I then installed a new duck-canvas lining for some durable usability. I repaired a snapped oak slat on the top of the trunk and installed legs and pads for better use on hardwood flooring. Rust was removed prior to painting and the chest was coated with rust blocking black undercoat. All gold paint was 18 Kt and painted on by hand. I finally applied a UV stable and scratch-resistant varnish to the exterior. Chests such as this make for a great place to store memories of family, military service, or other important belongings!