Help identifying Vintage Dresser & nightstand

Hello! Brand new poster but long time lurker here. After drooling over many posted pieces here, I finally ran into my own at a local thrift store. This large dresser & 2 nightstands had just came in off the truck & hadn't been priced yet. I didnt come there for this but I had to have it for my Hollywood Regency theme!

If anyone could offer more information in these pieces I'd be so grateful! (Maker, time period, worth) Also... my original idea was to sand them down and black lacquer them since they are pretty beat up, but after looking at how beautiful the craftsmanship is I'm wondering if there's any straightforward way to restore the finish?

I wanted to ask you pros before laying a hand on it! I haven't even cleaned it yet. Tips on that are welcome too. It's so beautiful I don't want to mess it up & would like to keep it in my family for a long time. Help much appreciated!

About the furniture:
- Solid wood (I have no idea what kind) and super heavy
- Thrift store helper & ex interior decorator put the piece at 1920s
- dresser 72" long x 22"
- has moving stickers from National Van lines Inc (founded in 1934)
- Has an inspection stickers but I see no brand. (No idea what to make of it)
- has glass inserts inside as neat little shelf racks and pulls on the interior drawers. (broken but getting glass cut to replace)

 

Here are the pics! ☺️

 

This set seems to be much more recent than the 1920's. My best guess would be 50's or 60's, leaning more to the 60's end. The pressboard back, odd shape to the one piece, hardware, etc.

 

Nice looking set! Agree 50s-60s. Doesn't look like it needs much. Hit it with some dark mahogany stain and the scratches should largely disappear. you would have to live with the cigarette burns. On the darker edges, you may need something darker. Can get stain pens/markers for that.

BTW, this is not solid wood. It is a mahogany veneer.

 

It weighs so much due to a lot of pressed wood on its fountain.
greg

 

Thanks so much for the response!
I don't doubt your knowledge one bit, esp since I'm a newbie.
I'm having trouble because I intially assumed it was a veneer but unlike the waterfall style furniture and many others I can't find a lip/edge on the pieces. Even where it's chipped on the edges there's no peeling up or seperating. Excuse my ignorance... How can you tell the difference at a glance? Does this just mean they just do a solid job on the pieces?

 

Hi,
Do to new technology veneers are not just pieces of wood that is glued to a foundation but it heat sealed to the pieces. Old veneer chips up at edges the newer stuff is joined and does not pop off like older veneers.
greg

 

Could very well be a veneer on a solid wood substrate. The ribbon mahogany used on the fronts is/was expensive so used pretty much exclusively as veneers. Your last pic shows the veneer well. Not the thin dark line at the top while the underside has an opposing piece on the bottom. Also note that the reverse side veneer is a lesser wood. Often get the question about why under/back sides were veneered if they did not show. If not veneered, the side would lose and take on moisture faster than the veneered side causing the piece to warp. Veneering both sides eliminates this problem.

 

Thanks everyone for your input!!
I tried a red mahogany fill in crayon and it definitely wasn't a match. I may try restore a finish next.

Any suggestions on what to clean the lacquer veneer with? I took a suggestion and tried to clean one of the side tables with diluted murphys oil soap which was an EPIC FAIL. It left it sticky and cloudy. The set desperately needs a nice polishing. Ive heard mixed things about pledge & old English with lacquer finishes. HELP please .

 

Hi,
Give a good cleaning with an ammonia based cleaner then start with a dark Old English Polish, let it dry and give it a good buffing.
greg

 

If sticky, you might try cleaning with mineral spirits. Should not affect the finish but will remove any oil or wax. You may run in to gunk that the spirits will not cut. Those are usually water soluble. An ammonia based cleaner should work for this. you just don't want to get too much water on this. Wash it down and rub it dry immediately. You can be pretty liberal with the mineral spirits. Once clean, the finish will probably look dull and/or cloudy. A stain or restor-a-finish should take care of that. Once you get the finish where you want it and dry, put a coat of paste wax for extra protection.