Caskets and Mirrors

There is 0 caskets of this type left

The Student Price is discounted to $2400. To pay by subscription:

This new casket form is being offered by popular demand. It is the same as the double casket but with a flat top instead of an angled top; which makes it shorter. It is a replica of the old casket seen in the picture below, with two doors that open and full of drawers but with a large surface on the top perfect for stumpwork. Made of 120 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, installed: 

• two brass escutcheons
• four brass door hinges
• two large brass lid hinges
• four brass drawer pulls
• two installed door locks and their hasps
• one secret panel lock and hasp
• one lid locks and hasp
• 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).  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 7.5" high without feet

This is now discontinued

The flat casket is an affordable casket that trades small drawers for large useable spaces for your needlework items. Based on several a historic pieces, the tray is a direct measurement from a 17th century casket. Made of 55 pieces of clear pine wood, it has a total of two 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 is the lock and its associated hasp. 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. 

The casket and its features can be seen by following the pictures to see the drawers, secret drawers, trays, spaces, and sliding panels. The pictured example does not show the locks installed. The original model this was taken from had mirrors on the sides of the casket that the tray slid into. Others I have seen use padded sides, covered with silk and quilted. This piece has an extra 1/8" tolerance on all sides to enable the maker to install the mirrors or padded sides to make their piece ever so much luxurious looking. 

Included with the wooden casket form pricing are the following, installed: 

• one brass escutcheons
• two large brass lid hinges
• one lid lock and hasp
• 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 7.5" high without feet

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

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.