Is this something I should not refinish?

Hi Everybody!

Looking for help in identifying and obtaining information about a small dresser I inherited from my grandfather. He was raised by Czech immigrants on a small farm in eastern Kansas.

It’s approx 30” wide, 24”tall and 18” deep. It has a metal label inside the top drawer that reads “Matthews Limited Furnishers Gloucester”. The only info I can find online about this company seems to point to a furniture maker in England that suffered a major fire in 1939. I could not find any other details about this company.

The two wide drawers are dovetailed but seem to be precise, so assuming maybe this was manufactured? The pulls seem to me as Art Deco period, but I’m truly not an expert.

I’m completely perplexed and yet love this piece. Am nervous to refinish until I’m sure I’m not being foolish in doing so! Would greatly appreciate any help anyone could provide me. Thanks so much!

 

Definitely factory-made. It's a family piece and not going anywhere, so the value is immaterial. That said, I'd let a furniture expert tell you what to do about the finish. Age... 1920s? No particular style to my eyes, just a mash-up of whatever the company thought looked good.

 

it's brown furniture..........have at it with no regrets..!

 

I think that was made by Stag. Sort of factory, but made to order and with a lot of hand work. MAtthews are the retailer.

 

Would like to copy the drawer pulls for earrings!

 

You might just try some scratch cover on the top and scratch I see on the front and see if that is not "good " enough.

 

Circa 1930. Pulls scream art deco but, the rest, not so much. No harm in refinishing but it may not really need it. Try sprucing it up first with some Howard's Resor-A-Finish. If you don't like the result, you can always refinish.

 

I 'll bet one could get more for the pulls than the wood !

 

You all are so appreciated! I’ll try a gentle scratch restore and see where to go from there. Thanks for all the advice and replies!