1937 Chest by Christopher Bentley posted Jun 8, 2022 at 1:39 PM 1937 Dresser by Christopher Bentley posted Jun 8, 2022 at 1:39 PM 1937 Dresser and Chest by Christopher Bentley posted Jun 8, 2022 at 1:39 PM I recently picked up this dresser and chest. They were supposedly purchases originally in 1937, and I suspect they are Borax. Would someone please let me know if my suspicion is correct? I'm OK if it is - the pieces are attractive and well made. Just wanting to know. Also, if they are Borax, should I care for the "painted" sections differently (i.e. is is ok to use Miller's or some other beeswax on them)? I appreciate any input you may have. Thank you!
Where I live borax is plain old sodium tetraborate, so I had to look Borax furniture up. Turns out it does have something to do with 'our' borax. https://mid2mod.blogspot.com/2013/05/pssstits-called-borax.html Nice set though. I'll tag some people who may know: @verybrad , @Jeff Drum .
We had "20 Mule Team Borax" detergent when I was small (the 50s). The TV commercials showed 20 mules pulling a wagon (presumably filled with borax) and were usually supporting "western" shows.
A borax solution can be used to clean things and a good flux for melting metal.But in your context it means cheaply made furniture.... https://www.antiquetrader.com/furniture/furniture-detective-depression-era-furniture-terms
I have to admit “borax” furniture is a new term for me too. I would have simply called it Depression or Waterfall, which I think would be suitable also. But it seems “borax” is implying a particular type of depression/waterfall furniture. (This also might be a regional term: I haven’t heard it in the northeast US). Antiquetrader defines it as: “Borax: The term “borax furniture” means the extremely cheaply made but showy furniture aimed at the bottom of the Depression market. It was usually made of gum or poplar, which was painted in a yellowish wash. Then the pattern of fancy veneer was actually printed onto the surface and router lines produced an “engraved” look on the printed surface.” So the main difference seems to be whether the veneer is actual wood, or simply printed on. The waterfall furniture I’ve seen has all been with real veneer, but this piece could all be from paint. Certainly the center area appears to be printed or painted, but too hard to tell from this distance whether the fancy veneer on the sides of drawers are just printed too, but seems plausible. Looking closeup is the only way to tell. In any case, careful cleaning with a slightly damp rag followed by wax should definitely be safe for this piece and would be the best way to care for it. P.s. borax powder is still used by blacksmiths as a flux to join hot iron together.
Oh, I guess you live and learn (I had never heard of that meaning of the word borax). When you zoom in those pics you can see the veneer is really no veneer at all! Today that would qualify as art, mind you. Wax can do it no harm. Actually, I would recommend nothing else.
These faux veneered pieces are usually a decal and can be somewhat fragile if not well kept. These look to be in nice shape but I would be hesitant to use anything water-based on them.
