Family Heirloom

1926
5

I’m Feeling a bit nostalgic and wanted to share an heirloom made 84 years ago by my Great Grandfather, Nicholas Caruso. Nicholas moved to the states around 1919 from Florence Italy and was a cabinet maker by trade. Unfortunately, he passed away at the young age of 31. My Grandmother was only four at the time.

My Great Grandfather made this little side table for my Great Grandmother Mary Bavota-Caruso. It isn’t much, and has been through a lot over the years as you can tell by the mismatched knobs and plywood top, and the yellowing from years and years of nicotine from being around a family full of smokers, but it’s an irreplaceable part of our family. The table consists of just a small cabinet with two small doors, and a slide out writing tray, which my Grandmother always referred to as a pull out cutting board. She was always very proud of that. I have no idea what type of wood was used. I’ve been told that the top was originally Marble, which broke at some point in its lifetime. It was replaced with a simple plywood top, which was never fully fastened to the base. Under that top, where no one would ever see had the Marble Top remained, is my Great Grandfather’s signature and the date 5-23-1930. Just 16 months prior to his passing. There is something about a signature on something homemade that makes you feel a connection to the person who made it, even if they passed 49 years prior to your birth. The picture that sits on top was taken a month prior to his passing. It is my Great Grandfather Nicholas Caruso, Great Grandmother Mary Bavota-Caruso, my Grandmother, Angelina Caruso and her brother Louis J. “Eugene” Caruso.

edit: Here is his signature.

Thanks for allowing me to share, and I hope everyone has a great afternoon and evening.
David

((sniff sniff)) …. this and the story is SO precious!

thank-you for sharing

Toxins Out, Nature In - body/mind/spirit

Great story and a fine pc of furniture to cherish. I’m sure you wish you could have met him.
So the question is, do you put a new marble top on it and restore it back to it’s original glory and pass it on for another 100 years or just keep it for the family memories it has?

Figuring out how to do something you have never done is what makes a good challenge.

That a great piece with a lot of history.
It’s a link between several generations. A priceless memory.

Abbas, Castro Valley, CA

Thank you guys and gals!
Bently – It will most likely stay as is for now. My mother currently has possession of it, and the only change she’s made is removing the contact paper from the plywood, and putting a fresh stain on it (the plywood that is). We’ve talked about replacing the top, using the plywood as a template, but I’m not sure what she wants to do yet. I’m on the fence myself. Its those imperfections that give it character and speaks of the mindset of past generations. They went through some difficult times, and learned to make due with what they had. I think Its a good reminder for me.

Great family story! It reminds me of the dresser that was used by my mother. It could have been her grandmother’s. Lots of repairs have been made. It’s difficult to decide if I should add improvements or savor the history of the family.
Thanks for sharing.