I saw this interesting cradle at an auction recently:
American Primitive Cherry Cradle
Description: 19th century, two part form, dovetailed cradle with iron rod swing supports on a boot-jack foot base with metal handles.
Size: 32 x 40 x 15 in.
Condition: Later metal handles; surface scratches; small shrinkage cracks.
What is more interesting it the method of suspension of the cradle body:
What was confusing was the description of this being a “dovetailed cradle”. I believe that I am eminently qualified to find dovetails, yet I found none. Look at the cradle for yourself:
I am truly disturbed by the apparent discrepancy between the written and the observed. I know that the people that write auction descriptions are highly trained experts that in many states are licensed or certified. Believe me. I am starting to believe that the fault is in me. The dovetails are there and I just can’t see them. I hope that’s the case. I would hate to see someone lose the job over this…