Posted 11 years ago
trgrubaugh
(34 items)
Just bought this dresser at an antique mall. It has wooden casters attached by metal. The casters are not perfectly round, but that would be expected if it has been moved much no matter the age. It appears to be machine made and put together by hand. It has been refinished. Not sure when or how long ago. Also unsure of type of wood. The only identifying mark is on the back no 116. The dovetails are not even, but may have been machine made?? There are wooden pegs guiding the drawers but no drawer tracks. It appears it had a mirror at one time that is now gone.
Any thoughts as to how old? I assume it is American made. It is really a great piece, does have some damage, but nothing too major. Also what type of polish is safe to use on it to keep it nice (assuming it is old and not a very well done fake).
thanks for your help. I have more pics I can post. I have pics of the casters to if that is helpful.
Here is my speculation...20s/30s, wave front, birch??? I've seen these before and they are quite charming. I certainly could be way off base so keep researching!
Thanks. I think it may be birch. I think maybe 1910-1930 but no idea. It is great. I wish it had the mirror top.
I think your thoughts on the era are on track.
scott
You have a pretty piece. Is the top the same wood? What about the side panels?I've owned pieces like this. Early 1900's factory made.Most were mahogany . It did have a mirror ,I believe. Your piece might be re veneered since it appears to be so well kept.
thanks for the love moonstone
I believe it is the same wood on top and the side panels. I believe it has been reveneered/refinished. Some of it appears hand assembled and some seems to be machine cut. It is a great piece, it had only been in the shop a day when we got it.
As a "Horder" I have the sister piece to this one. It was my first dresser, as my Mother bought it at the Salvation Army Store back in the 50's and has been mine since. my isn't as nice as yours, but has give me many years of service. 1920's-30's would be correct/ Thanks for sharing yours, very nice.
Thanks Kerry
kerry does yours have a mirror on top? We are hoarders too :)
You have a very nice dresser, looks to be an original from the era other's have mentioned.
In my opinion the wood is oak, the wave front cut gives it a different appearance.
I'm basing this mostly on the close up in picture 4, the open grain is typical of oak.
The side panels may vary well be veneered.
Here is a good link for reference;
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-identification/
ok thanks walksoftly. did they use wooden casters in the 30's?
Dating the piece by it's castors would be a guess at best, the type used would be based more on economics rather than time period. If it was a very old piece that would be a different story. Also there is no way of knowing if they are original.
Based on it's construction I would place it in the time period mentioned above.
Thanks for the info. That makes sense. It has beento very well taken care care of. It's for our daughter I think she will enjoy it.
Thanks officialfuel
You're very welcome trgrubaugh, I hope your daughter enjoys it & treasures it!
Thanks walksoftly
Thanks sean
Thanks philip
I have one like it and it is made of oak no veneer . It may have had wheels but as I remember I took them off :-) Very nice . I will closer at mine and see if the makers name is on it anyplace ,since it has not been refinished . Thanks for sharing your's . I go with 1920 too :-) The curved drawers and the angle they cut wood is correct as walksoft said about oak .
Thanks manikin. I may remove the casters too not sure
This very well may be oak but I see it as ash. Oak and ash are commonly confused because of the similarities in the grain, texture and specific gravity of the wood. I am going to burst a bubble and say it is WWII vintage. Made during the war years when metal and some species of wood were scarce because of the war effort. Wood casters were more common then. Either way I love it and owned two identical to it except mine were maple and made in 1943.
yes I have the mirror, but the silver is coming off the back, so it's not on now.
Thanks fhrjr2. I think the key is that number stamped on the back to identifying it. Some of it does appear hand put together, the wood seems machine cut. I know its not art deco. I wish it had a company name stamped somewhere on it but I have not found one
She loves the dresser by the way.
thanks aimathena
I thought I still had photos of mine but can't seem to locate them. As I recall they were produced out around Chicago but can't be positive. Looking more closely at the dovetails in your pic I tend to think this is probably older than the ones I owned. If you notice the way the top and bottom dovetails curve to lock the side panel, that is what I am looking at. I believe they stopped using that design in this country in the early 1940's and went to a straight uniform machine cut dovetail. Machine cut was much quicker in terms of production. The curve like you show was a much better joint in terms of not falling apart.
Thanks. It is very solid. Seems to have been well cared for. I wish it still had the mirror
Hey there!! Check out my items. I have the same dresser. I think someone told me it was from Sears!!! I love it so much. It seems handmade to me because of the gorgeous curves and I was told that the wood was a striped walnut I believe. It is in my parent's home now in my bedroom there.
thats great, Its interesting it may be from sears. It is very sturdy. We have loved it.
I love it too, a poster on the site said mine has been restored becuase the pulls are not of the era, so I believe yours are the originals! Enjoy, I love it! I had to do a little work to the back, easy fix with wood glue and clamps, but mine is dovetailed. x
thanks vanskyock24
thanks tom61375
I have similar dovetails on my dresser. Thought somebody might have and idea on mine.
Thanks agh
thanks sean
thanks nevada
I know this post is 7 uesra old but I just acquired this exact dresser with the mirror in January from my in-laws. I dont know if you've had much luck dating the dresser but mine does have the manufacturer sticker on the back. It was made by Banderob-Chase Co in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I dont have a date but I thought this would help if you are still looking for information.
Beckyg Never shy away from sharing information. This site is all about sharing information and learning.
Thank you for the info. Mine doesn't have the sticker. Wish it did and that i could find the mirror but that will be almost impossible
trgrubaugh Never say impossible. If you have a picture of what was original someone, somewhere has one. I have old mirrors off dressers stuffed in closets and behind doors. I used to buy them at yard sales for a few bucks and wait until an antique dealer needed what I had and sell. Old age and poor health caught up with me so I am an arm chair collector now.
I do have a picture of the mirror I just dont know how to post it. Not very tech savvy.
Just click on your own picture or name and go into your profile. Then click to make a new post and you will see where to post pic's. Or up top where it says "sign out" click the arrow then profile. Easy once you have done it.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9AS72WBCZCh8CWKn8
This might work. My daughter helped me with this.
I think I have the same/similar dresser! Mine is missing my mirror, has the wrong handles and a cute wood detail at the bottom lip.
I have that same dresser with the mirror. In the process refinishing! Has anyone figured out what the wood is?
consensus seems to be oak
I have a piece that looks just like this with the tag it says Aulsbrook & Sturges made in Sturgis Michigan
Mine only has 3 drawers. I will try to post a picture. It also has the wood castor wheels. I have been looking all over for more info on the piece.