Posted 12 years ago
Sacgemini
(4 items)
About all the information I have on this is that it was my great grandmother's and has since stayed in the family (along with the rest of the matching bedroom set). I even have old black & white photos of her in front of it that I came across when helping my mother sort through my late grandmother's properties. While admiring the quality of the craftsmanship I am now trying to find out as much as I can about it.
I just added pics of the stool that goes with the vanity. Thanks to a couple of you and your valuable feedback, I'm looking at these items a bit closer and confirming exactly what I'm being told about these items.
This is Great! I'm sharing all this with my mother, as these items belong to her grandmother, and she just loves you guys for helping me in my research on her belongings. It means a lot to us!
I would be most grateful for any help in how I can find out as much as I can about this vanity table and mirror.
Sacgemini, Welcome to CW lovely old vanity . This is a bit of the history on them
The Makeup vanity table became popular in the 1920's During the Hollywood era, all of the budding actresses had to have a vanity like was seen within the movies. Most of the black and white film stars such as Ava Gardener and Audrey Hepburn had a seen in front of a vanity putting on makeup. These actresses were known as the Glamour gals of their time. One thing they would not do was to be caught without makeup. Thousands of glamor girl want to be's wanted a vanity just like Ava had. These beautiful wooden pieces came in a variety of styles. The vanities came in oak, veneer or maple.
They did come with bedroom sets also like yours . I too remember my grandmothers in her room . Hard to say who made it unless you can find a paper label on it or a company name it or another piece of the bedroom set . Yours appears to be made of a veneer but hard to tell by photo alone . It would look wonderful with a vanity tray on it . Love it , brings back memories .
Thank You Manikin! Much appreciative for your input, I learn something new every day. I will look a bit more to find what I can, otherwise I can definitely appreciate the quality that went into making them, both the workmanship and material. They just don't make 'em like they used to!
They did make these Vanity dressers which had a small stool to sit on and fix hair ect. They started making them earlier than the 20's but they reached their peak during the 20's through 40's . In 50's were steering away from them but still making them. Yours appears early and on second look it has some solid wood I can see and maybe some veneer on drawer fronts ? Hard to see .
No they sure don't make furniture like they used to I agree :-) To have complete set like you do is a treasure .
Manikin, first and foremost I want to express my most sincere appreciation for the most genuine and personable welcomes I have experienced online! I have been going to all different websites to learn about antiques and vintage items, their value vs condition, appraisers, etc... But to me this site is exactly what I have been searching for many reasons. The items I have are priceless and irreplaceable (I think I spelled that correctly) , I'm not looking to pay a fee to sign up on different sites just to find out that they aren't really what I am looking for . And you hit it right on the head...they are a treasure! I'm not looking to put them on auction or some consignment so I can make a couple bucks (as well as others profiting from it). I appreciate my being able to say I'm new here and ignorrant to the world of antiques as well as the personal interaction with someone such as yourself who is willing to share information and help educate me! It means a lot!
I do have the small stool you mentioned as well. I am just fascinated by all the information you have shared with me Manikin! I am going to take a few more pics, of the vanity as well as the stool and dresser/chest of drawers. I will post them tomorrow morning when lighting is better. I couldn't be more enthused about this. I Thank You for everything and look forward to future interaction with you! - Tim
Your so welcome Tim ! We have many very friendly people on this site and experts in different area's of collecting . I agree with you it is I think best site on internet . And we are so glad to have you with us . I will look at your new posts and hoping some of furniture people will jump in on your posts . Sometimes it takes brain storming from a group to come to the right answer :-)
It would be awesome if you could post a photo of your grandmother with this vanity, along with your modern photo. That would bring it to life! Also, it would be fun to see what era your photos are from in relationship to the possible age of your vanity. It's gorgeous, by the way. A real treasure!
Oops, I mean your great-grandmother!
I found a set very close to your that sold . The photos are not large but you might get an idea of age . I thought 20-30's and they did too on this link
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/4-pc-1920s-bedroom-set-2-dressers-vanity-full
Very nice Manikin! I don't think it could get much closer that. I am loving this site more and more every day. I am learning more and more about so many different areas of the past each and every day, especially my own family heritage. I feel blessed to have such a rare and golden opportuniy to have the resources available to do this. No too many people are this fortunate!
Stefdesign, you have a great point! I will go back through the photos and continue posting. I see that each post is limited to 4 pics so I will be organizing as I go to post as much of these as possible to support each post accordingly.