Don't forget asking your neighbors/putting up a sign in the local laundromat etc. Aha - farm auctions! check the paper. Might even find your tea chest. We (in a relatively rural area) seem to have 1-4 about every other week. What about advertising for one in the local paper?

Tell everybody you talk to what you're looking for. It's AMAZING what turns up through a friend of a friend of a friend. (a 100 year old 6 harness floor loom, lately - the friend didn't like the curator of the Czechoslovakian museum so gave it to my friend who gave it to me). Of course, this is a good start.

Best of luck Elaine.