How do I clean the brass parts safely?

Dust the metal lightly with a dry, soft brush to remove loose dirt from the crevices. Avoid using liquid metal polish near the timber or tortoiseshell. Polish residue turns white as it dries and gets stuck in the wood grain. A gentle wipe with a microfibre cloth usually does enough to keep the brass looking right.

I found an old casket in my grandmother's attic and the lid is locked shut but there is no key anywhere to be seen, can a locksmith open it without breaking the wood?

Most standard box locks from the nineteenth century use very simple mechanisms. A traditional locksmith can often pick them open using a blank key or basic hand tools in a few minutes. Do not force the lid with a screwdriver. The wood around the lock plate will splinter, and the catch itself will bend. Once it is open, the locksmith can usually file a new key to fit the original levers.

What does the fabric lining mean?

Silk or velvet usually indicates a piece meant for jewellery. The fabric stopped precious metals from scratching against the wood. Paper linings point to document storage. Padded silk inside the lid helped press items down gently.

When I open the lid on the one I bought recently it leans back too far and feels like it might snap the hinges off, is there supposed to be something holding it?

Many caskets originally had a fabric stay, a ribbon fixed between the inside of the lid and the base. This took the weight off the hinges when open. Others used mechanical stop-hinges built into the brasswork itself. Over time, fabric stays tear and mechanical stops wear down through repeated use. Having a restorer add a discrete new ribbon stay is a sensible step. It stops the heavy lid from falling back and cracking the wooden carcase.

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Antique Caskets

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Usually taking the form of a small, highly decorated chest with a hinged lid, an antique casket was designed to keep jewellery, important documents, or personal items secure.