Antique Quarter-Sawn Oak Serpentine Dresser With Original Oval Swing Mirror, C. 1900–1915

Details

Description

Beautiful antique American oak dresser/chest with an attached oval swing mirror, dating to approximately 1900–1915. An especially impressive example featuring … Read more Beautiful antique American oak dresser/chest with an attached oval swing mirror, dating to approximately 1900–1915. An especially impressive example featuring highly figured quarter-sawn oak, a serpentine/wavy-front design, carved mirror supports, ornate period hardware, and substantial curved feet.

The dresser has five graduated drawers with traditional dovetailed construction and a beautifully figured quarter-sawn oak grain throughout. The original oval mirror remains attached with its period swing hardware and decorative carved supports.

Details

* Width: 36”
* Depth: 21”
* Height: 71½” overall
* Dresser height: 45½”
* Material: Quarter-sawn oak
* Period: Circa 1900–1915
* Five drawers
* Original-style cast brass/metal drawer pulls
* Dovetailed drawer construction
* Original attached oval swing mirror
* Original backboards and construction
* Beautiful natural age, patina and figuring

Interesting Original Markings

The back of the dresser retains original pencil markings and the number “525.” The same 525 marking is also present on the mirror, suggesting the markings may relate to the original manufacture, assembly, or identification of the piece.

There are additional faint handwritten markings on the original wood backing. One portion appears possibly to read something resembling “Hunter,” although this has not been conclusively deciphered.

The manufacturer is currently unidentified, and historical catalog research is underway. Comparable furniture from this period was produced by several prominent American manufacturers, particularly in the Grand Rapids and Chicago furniture industries.

Condition

Very good antique condition with the expected signs of age and use appropriate to a piece approximately a century old. The original finish has developed a warm, rich patina, with age-related wear and variations in color.

The original backboards retain old pencil/production markings and some age-related staining. These markings have intentionally been left untouched as part of the furniture’s history.
The forth drawer has 2 splits in the bottom, see picture. We can reassure the water marks on the back of the mirror free of mold or mildew, see picture, we left it like this cause it does have writing in pencil on the back of it, kinda hard to see what it says cause of the water marks, but if you were this old you would have some of these marks as well. The drawers work very well. There are also pencil writing on the back of the dresser itself, kinda hard to read, but could be manufacture writing, just not sure. It does have a number 525 on the dresser and the word Oak, it also has a number 525 on the mirror frame below the oval mirror. No smoke or Odor smells. No smell of mildew or mold.
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