Wood Carving Information - Help Needed

[sam11]

I would like to know if there is a way to determine the origins of a wood carving based on its design/style.

I think the its Middle eastern based on diamond and sharp line design but I acquired it in Vancouver, BC Canada so I am uncertain if this assumption is correct as it may be something made recently locally.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Shahab

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Looks middle eastern to me. Normally they do mostly inlay work. This is the first chipcarved box I've seen. Nice. Scratch the bottom so you can smell the wood. If it's cedar it's probably from Lebanon.

[sam11]

Do you have an estimated price range on what it's worth?

[hruukki]

Hi, if I were you I would contact some museum with it, or some other party that deals with antiques. It looks old all right, but as you suggest yourself, it's really hard to tell without the correct methods. I guess the age of the wood can be determined by studying the bacteria in the wood, and also moisture - these are just guesses though. The age of the cuts should be equally possible to determine, if it's possible to find out the age of the wood: the wood in the cut should have aged similarly to the surface if the cut is old.

[sam11]

I'm sorry I didn't exactly understand your post.

Can you please clarify or explain in further detail what you meant by "The age of the cuts should be equally possible to determine, if it's possible to find out the age of the wood: the wood in the cut should have aged similarly to the surface if the cut is old."

Thanks.

P.S. I'm located in Vancouver, BC, any suggestions on where I could go to who knows the correct methods?

[AlArchie]

You might try contacting the Arts Department at the British Columbia University in Van Couver. They have a section on near east art and the like. but may have musch more info available. I've found that the faculty at colleges and universities are usually quite willing to cooperate with inquiries, even from non students.

Faculties & Schools - UBC.ca

another possibility is their history department.

Al

[Canopener]

Sam,
I should first admit that I am far from expert, especially on chip carving; but my first impression is that it was done by a Swiss or German carver trying to do a mideastern style design. I have seen some furniture like this, but nowhere near as nice.
My second thought was to contact Wayne Barton, who is certainly an expert in this area.
Phone # [847] 692-2822
Wayne Barton and The Alpine School School of Wood Carving
wayne.barton@comcast.net
Good luck and a very nice piece.
Jim