Caskets and Mirrors
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Thistle Threads
Double Casket
Sold out
Visit product page →These caskets are no longer for sale. A class will be forthcoming for the caskets remaining.
The Student Price is discounted to $2640, you need to have been in Cabinet of Curiosities Part 1.
The double casket is a tour d'force with all the details that you have ever seen in historic pieces. Made of 134 pieces of clear pine wood, it has a total of seven secret drawers! Richard Oedel of Fort Point Cabinetmakers and I have spent two years measuring original caskets to design this piece. All the hardware on the piece are made from original 17th century hardware that came off damaged embroidered caskets. They are cast in brass and then tinned to match the originals. The most elaborate reproduction materials are the five locks and their associated hasps. Three caskets were sent through x-ray machines to get accurate measurements off the internal structure and then designed by me and made by Peter Ross, Historic Blacksmith. The prototype locks were then scaled by Anderson & Stauffer for the caskets and made in their English factory. Without the correct locks (which don't exist today on the market), the secret panels and drawers we desire are not possible.
The casket and its features can be seen by following the pictures to see the drawers, secret drawers, trays, spaces, sliding panels and doors. The pictured example does not show the locks installed.
Included with the wooden casket form pricing are the following:- three brass escutcheons
- four brass door hinges
- two small brass lid hinges
- two large brass lid hinges
- four brass drawer pulls
- two installed door locks and their hasps
- one secret panel lock and hasp
- two lid locks and hasps
- four mirror brackets from brass (not pictured)
- a lock key
- turned wood feet
The casket will be shipped via a mutually acceptable shipper (UPS is preferred shipper). Caskets will be shipped after shipping invoice is paid and the last payment is made. Note that the caskets are being sold at a large discount to the students and thus the actual cost will be listed on the customs/insurance forms, so know your local customs regulations. If desired, I can ship to a USA address for collection.
Casket is: 11.5" wide x 8" deep x 11.25" high without feet
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Thistle Threads
17th Century Mirror Frames
$ 450.00 - $ 575.00
Visit product page →These will be made for at least another year
Fancy Mirror Frame 12 month subscription ($47.92/month). Shipping billed separately
Mirror Frame with Doors 12-month subscription (37.50/month). Shipping billed separately
Two wood carcasses for 17th century embroidered frames are available for purchase or order, depending on the supply on-hand. The fancy frame is 19" x 23" in size and the door frame is a bit over 13" x 15" The rectangular frame with doors is loosely based on examples such as this frame sold by Bonhams in 2011. Hinges can be installed for the doors hidden (modern) or using the reproduction 17th century hinges available from Thistle Threads. The back of the frame has an easel like the originals so it can be placed on a dressing table. It can also be mounted to a wall. No hinges are included for either the doors or easel so the maker can decide how they want to proceed. in the pictures below, the back of this frame finished can be seen without its easel in place yet.
The fancy frame is a Thistle Threads original shape based on the shapes of the 17th century. The frame includes an easel on the back that is attached with two brass reproduction hinges that match those used on period frames of this type. In each case, a filet that holds the mirrors in place are loosely tacked to allow the purchaser to replace with antiqued glass if desired.
The frames come with a .pdf template sent via a file transfer service as well as one design for the frame already done in case the buyer wants to take inspiration or have a design. An eight-page description of the recommended finishing materials and method is also included. Recommended finishing materials include marbled paper, silk velvet and/or silk lining and gilt or silver woven tape to hide all the raw edges. Wheat paste glue and a special handmade archival paper are needed to cover the wood to protect the fabrics and embroidery from the wood as well as provide a good surface to adhere the embroidery.
A shipping supplement is extra on these frames. After order, shipping costs to your address will be determined and the difference invoiced if necessary. -
Thistle Threads
Short Flat Casket
Sold out
Visit product page →These caskets are no longer for sale. If you are interested, the remaining caskets will be part of a Harmony with Nature project class, email tricia@alum.mit.edu
This casket is the same width and length as our other caskets, but has 90 mm high sides and matches the templates provided in the Cabinet of Curiosities courses. Based off the size of a casket in my collection, it features a simplified interior that allows a useful cavity for storage. There is one bottle cavity, a letter slot, and a compartment with door ready for a fabric/paper hinge. The casket comes with a set of large hinges in either brass or tin (your choice). Meant to be a low cost alternative to the taller boxes, it does not have any locks. If a faux escutcheon is desired, one can be purchased as well as mirror holders. Mirrors can be glued into the back of the lid or more complex doors, mirrors and cavities can be constructed in the space. While the box is simple - your imagination can make this piece a marvel with inserted three-dimensional embroidered gardens and other fancies such as gilt columns and mirrored sides. The compartment lid is intended for embellishment as well, many period examples used the interior casket tape to make patterns on these small lids.
It comes with a set of wood feet, if desired a set of carved feet can be added to the order.
Delivery time varies as batches will be made every three months in between construction of the larger caskets.
Casket is: 11.5" wide x 8" deep x 5" high without feet
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Thistle Threads
Casket Feet
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Visit product page →Every casket already comes with turned mahogany feet in its box.
These feet (which were an extra) are now discontinued.
A set of antiqued gilt or silvered feet. The feet are cast resin in a mold made from a perfectly carved foot in either a silvered or gold color and then gold or silver leaf is applied followed by an brown wash layer to help define the groves of the carving. The feet fit all the casket forms; except for the trinket box. Sold in a set of 4 to be glued in place once the casket is all finished. Based off of a compilation of photos of carved period casket feet.
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Thistle Threads
Trinket Box
$ 70.00
The Trinket Box is 3" x 5" x 3" in size with a recessed lid and turned wood feet. The escutcheon is placed on the front for decoration as there is no lock for the box. Each trinket box comes with either the brass or tin-coated brass escutcheon and its tacks. The form of this box is taken from a number of small 17th century embroidery covered trinket boxes that range from 2" x 3" x 4" up to 4" x 8" x 5" in size. During the Cabinet of Curiosities course, this box is used to work the embroidery covering and then attach it to the paper covered trinket box, giving each student practice with the techniques. Students may want to purchase additional trinket boxes to try out other ideas or to work as gifts. Templates for the sides as well as the covering materials are given in class.Visit product page → -
Thistle Threads
Gift Card
$ 10.00 - $ 360.00
Visit product page →Shopping for someone else but not sure what to give them? Give them the gift of choice with a Thistle Threads Gift Card.
Gift cards are delivered by email and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. Our gift cards have no additional processing fees.
