Romweber?? How old is this bedroom set??

Hello all!
I am new to the forum and am hoping someone can give me some direction on how to determine the age of some furniture I recently procured.

I purchased a bedroom set (photos attached) from an older lady that I work with who had a storage unit she suddenly needed to empty on short notice. She had the storage unit for years and I bought several pieces of furniture because I thought they were beautiful. I consider myself an amateur collector at most and know very little about specific types or brands of antique furniture.

The "Romweber" bedroom set consists of three identical "nightstands", two identical full size beds, a dresser, and a vanity (with mirror). This is what I am primarily interested in learning about. The previous owner advised me that the furniture is rare and made by "Romweber" which I had never heard of. There is a badge on the inside of the dresser that supports this statement. I bought the furniture based off of its looks and after finding a few pieces of Romweber furniture online in my research, it appears that the amount I paid (less than $700) was shockingly low. Im not complaining!

I have been able to find ZERO reference material online that could assist me with determining the age of this furniture. Also, I have not been able to find a single image of any Romweber (or "American Furniture Co.") furniture that is similar to what I have found.

ANY information or guidance will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

What a gorgeous set, so much detail and in amazing condition. I can see why you bought it.

 

Thank you! I bought it on looks alone because I had never seen anything like it. Now I am determined to find out everything I can about it. S

 

Hello and welcome to the board.
If you go back to your post, click Edit, More Options, then Full Image, your pictures will be large enough for people with phones to see.
Looks like you will have to resize your photos first though. Maybe someone can tell you how.


I believe your set probably dates to the 1940s

I found this, but don't know how to access the catalog
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/SILNMAHTL_16377


@shallow_ocean_spectre

 

@clutteredcloset49 - Huh? Me? I just got up!



@Wnelson251 - My wild guess is very late 1930s. The crossbanding 'round the doors and drawers and the quarter-matched Satinwood headboard seems a designer's nod to the so-called "Waterfall Style" -

https://www.google.com/search?q=wat...hWuVN8KHQPND2wQ_AUoAnoECAwQBA&biw=800&bih=467

of the 1930s - clean lines set off by the use of exotic woods like Satinwood, Tulipwood and Kingwood.

Caveat: I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no bookmatches!



Edited to add that you might research a bit in the direction of the late Leo Jiranek's designs:


https://www.google.com/search?q=LEO...hVFnOAKHYiQAysQ_AUoAXoECAsQAw&biw=800&bih=467


.

 

Great idea!! I will resize and add in to the original post tonight after work. I didnt even realize I could do that!

 

I see what you mean! I'm going to look in to that second link you sent also...I have been trying to find ANY literature I can related to Romweber and never thought to search there.

 

What other factors can I identify that will indicate its age?

I looked up the patent number for one of the metal pieces that secures the footboard to the headboard and the patent year was 1933....so at least I know how far back to start looking meaning it could be any year after 1933.

 

Why not just buy some of the catalogues? Many have been reprinted, and there are some original copies available on ABE.

http://retropaper.net/ROMWEBER_VIKING_OAK.html


https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Bo...talog&sortby=17&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title1

 

What a great idea! I had no idea locating a brochure or magazine was even possible until today.

 

Welcome, Wnelson.

 

Yep, agrees on 1930s-1940s waterfall style, very nice condition. I don't think a date certain of manufacture is a critical factor here, the quality of construction is more important in my view and this bedroom set looks like high quality. I'd say you did well for $700.

 

Thanks James!

 

Pretty pricey catalogs for not knowing whether the OP's set will be in it.
The set may have only been available for 5-10 years and we don't know what years those are.

I thought maybe you would know how to access the catalog from the museum. That's why I tagged you.

 

@Wnelson251
The edit button is only available for a few hours. At this point it may no longer be there.
Just add the pictures in a post. That will be fine.

 

@clutteredcloset49 - I didn't see anything indicating that it had been digitised.
.

 

Romweber is nice quality furniture that had, primarily, regional distribution. Agree with the late 30s-40s date. You may not find anything more unless you do find a catalog page or advertisement offering your set.

 

Hi Verybrad! I am still working on learning everything I can about this set...my latest efforts are geared towards trying to determine if having it refinished/repaired would be worth the cost. It has some scuffs and scratches from the previous owner moving it in and out of storage so many times.

Todays question is....what would you call this "style"? Art-Deco? The marquetry almost seems greek themed....but....keep in mind I am brand new to the vintage furniture world and still learning. Lol

 

post 5 from Shallow reads........
The crossbanding 'round the doors and drawers and the quarter-matched Satinwood headboard seems a designer's nod to the so-called "Waterfall Style" -

Learning is good......reading is better..........

 

S-O-S describes it as Waterfall Style which was done in the 1930s/40s. It is considered part of the Art Deco era. So calling it Art Deco Style would be acceptable.

Having this refinished will cost a pretty penny. If keeping for yourself, maybe worth it. If selling, not worth the money as you won't recoup it in the sales price.

There is a product called Restor-A-Finish. If you can find it. I hear the product may have been sold to a competitor.
Pictures are hard to determine color - They have Maple and Golden Oak stain. I would think one of those would work for your set.