Posted 8 years ago
Ritamsg
(2 items)
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the age and / or history of this cabinet. There is a stencil mark on the back as shown in the third picture which includes some hand written initials in chalk. I have also included a picture of the stamp on the back of the brass escutcheon from the bottom drawer. Also, there is a flat key & brass lock marked "Rockford 629R5"
Thank you!
Rita
Style of the cabinet puts it in the 2nd quarter, 20th century.
It looks like it has been well cared for through the years!
scott
It looks around 1930's to 1940's with some nice decorative additions which make it a better quality piece. Beautiful piece. Sometimes the old mail order catalogs show a lot of the furniture of the 30's to 1950's. In Canada where I live this type was in the old eatons (T. Eaton & co) and sears catalogs.
Wal-China means Walnut China cabinet. Could 88 mean 1988?? Nah - probably syle 88.
Yeah - maybe 1988, now that I look closer.
You can never date a piece just by a photo, unless you have seen the piece in person. 1988 is ridiculous.
I've restored many Depression Era pieces, and I thought this might be from the 1930's or so, except that the hardware has sand pitting marks and does not appear to have even and deliberate machine stamp markings. The veneer is thick, not thin as would be the case if it were from the 30's. With that being said, I began to suspect it was made mid to late 1800's. I know Keeler has been around since the 1880's. I'm so confused.
The oval outline on the bottom appears to have had a plaque of some sort that has since been removed or torn off. Not sure if it would have been more wood veneer, but it looks like it had a frame to it, so maybe it was a porcelain or bone cameo ???
Lots of confusion on here!
The style doesn't fit at all with 1880s or 1980s!
You were on track with Depression era.
scott
Thank you, PhilDMorris! I'm going to look up that catalog. By the way, I live in a Sears & Roebuck House, from their 1922 Homes catalog, (The Castleton Model).
I seen one very similar not as nice tho in a antique store. They dated that one 1930 or 1940.. and my last house was a sears house 1922! Very cool!
Really need to look at dove tails and the hardware. .that can sometimes help date stuff..
What would dovetails and hardware reveal with THIS PIECE?
We know it is a production piece: black block stenciled manufacturer markings on the back.
We know that stylistically it is from the 2nd quarter, 20th century.
IF it were hand dovetailed (doubtful) would you ignore what we KNOW about the piece?
The NO EARLIER THAN era (based on style) would NOT change due to evidence of handwork.
scott
This seller has some photographs from a 1930s catalog that shows pieces from a Bloomsburg, PA maker that are SIMILAR to yours:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-Deco-Furniture-1930s-Advertising-10x12-Photographs-Bloomsburg-PA-7-DIFFERENT-/252757217885?hash=item3ad981125d:g:kwwAAOSwopRYl9OJ
scott
As with all hardware, there is a chance it was replaced or added later. As I have a large eaton and sears catalog collection there are some examples in there similar for the latest 30's and especially the 1940's.
Here's a pic of the dovetails. You're right! Has to be circa 30's / 40's. It's a 9 inch deep drawer with 9 dovetails cut in. They don't feel machine cut, but I reckon there would be far less dovetails if this was much older.
I suppose the chalk marks are the initials of the quality control inspector.
Dovetails appear to be machine cut-- uniformity of size is what I am seeing.
scott
I agree
I love your pic of the dining room with cabinet in situ. Can you post that pic, looks like a classic ! The room looks so vintage with the feeling of a long lost period of style !!
A new posting I mean.
Thank you! The house is circa 1922, as I mentioned before. I've furnished it with period pieces, mostly found in thrift stores. Since depression era furniture is so inexpensive these days, it cost me practically nothing to fill the house. I'll post Vintage Dining Room under "Show & Tell."