CL -- Unknown Chinoiserie Console Husk - Vancouver, BC

[Lah Ca]

Here is a probable rarity, the husk of a Chinoiserie console, motor missing. What is it?

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/at ... 69477.html

The seller is asking $125 CDN.

The pictures are poor.

[poodling around]

Here is a probable rarity, the husk of a Chinoiserie console, motor missing. What is it?

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/at ... 69477.html

The seller is asking $125 CDN.

The pictures are poor.

2023-11-16 08.30.48 images.craigslist.org 631867c85721.jpg

2023-11-16 08.30.14 images.craigslist.org f0702f661d48.jpg

2023-11-16 08.31.16 images.craigslist.org c03618d25395.jpg

I may be wrong but it looks to me like it might have had a Columbia brand motor - so was the whole thing a Columbia gramophone maybe ?

[JerryVan]

The tonearm is identical to the one used in the Strand phonograph. It's possible however, that in these off-brand machines, any number of makes could have used the same arm.

I did a brief search for "Strand Phonograph". Looks as if that's what you have here.

[Lah Ca]

The tonearm is identical to the one used in the Strand phonograph. It's possible however, that in these off-brand machines, any number of makes could have used the same arm.

I did a brief search for "Strand Phonograph". Looks as if that's what you have here.

Thanks. Bang on with the ID, I think.

Here is a very similar, but non-Chinoiserie, model that is in the collection of the Vancouver museum. It dates to about 1924.

In an era of bespoke artisanal craftwork, the Chinoiserie console begs the question whether Strand New York ever issued a machine with such a finish, either stock or as a special order, or whether the purchaser of the machine took it to a specialist shop to have the work done.

Without knowing what the motor was and how easily a replacement might be found, I suspect that any knowledgeable purchaser might avoid this machine. Parts market and drinks cabinet?

[JerryVan]

In an era of bespoke artisanal craftwork, the Chinoiserie console begs the question whether Strand New York ever issued a machine with such a finish, either stock or as a special order, or whether the purchaser of the machine took it to a specialist shop to have the work done.

Without knowing what the motor was and how easily a replacement might be found, I suspect that any knowledgeable purchaser might avoid this machine. Parts market and drinks cabinet?

I would guess that with the Strand decal painted over, the Strand folks did not do the painting.