A client brought me this drawer from an old thread cabinet. He dabbles in a little bit of everything, including antiques. It is from a company (I think) called Beldins Silk. It was painted, and when he was stripping it, he noticed the old faded lettering. He brought it to me to repaint. The other drawers have glass fronts. I can't tell what color it was or 100% what it says. It may even have been gilded, he says, like the Clark's ONT one he had at home. I've had no luck with Google. Any ideas? Here's a close up or two. "SILK" Look at the archaic additional "'s", odd because the word ends in "s". I know I could either gild or paint, but don't know which, or what color. Any input would be much appreciated. Love....Jill
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
It looks like Belding's Silk to me, I googled it, and there is a Belding's Silk from the 1800's.
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Hiya Jill,
My wicked-stepmother has an antique Belding's Silk spool cabinet that looks similar to this one.
Her's is much darker (mahogany I think) and has a different letter style which looks half way between the one above and the one you have there. The posessive "s" is superscript on her's.
The copy is gilded and has an outline and small shade to the bottom left. The outline and shade are black-ish and somewhat transparent, you can see grain through them if you try. Maybe asphaltum?
Can you get a picture of the whole thing? I know a few antique furniture dealers who might be able to help.
(Gah, edited to fix image)
[ July 12, 2006, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: Jonathan Androsky ]
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Hah ha. Man those guys are quick. I just got this from one of my "fixers". I think this might be the one you want.
Lettering is done in gold with a black pin-line and small bottom left shade. See the little bar under that superscript "s" ?
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Yay! Now that's what I call service! I have not seen the whole cabinet, just the drawer. Gonna print this out for reference. Thanks a million! love....Jill
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Anytime Jilly.
Oh by the way, I'm an Idiot, That shade is down and to the RIGHT!
I never did get my rights and lefts figured out Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
I think Jonathan had it covered, but you're welcome all the same.
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Finally done and picked up. The guy loved it. I think it's a bit rough...I've never been too slick with gilding. But that just adds to the "old" look...right? Love....jill Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Looks like that worked out pretty well for you Jill. Remember, no matter how "rough" you think it looks, it's the all important "The guy loved it" that keeps us in business! Nicely done. Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
That is so neat to see, Jill! You did a really nice job!
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