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Hello everyone, new to this forum, I don't have any formal training or experience with Antiques, but when I have a chance and I see a piece of furniture that catches my eye I usually get it and either flip it or keep it for my home. I just bought this piece of furniture, but don't see any markings to help me identify it. Anyone able to offer some guidance?

 

Welcome to the forum, Mario.

Many of us don't. We all come here to learn and share what we know.
The furniture people will be along to help with your lovely sideboard. Are you sure it is not a dressing table or something like that?

 

I don't think it was ever a dressing table, but AJ has a good point. I've never seen a mirror like this (top) on a buffet/sideboard/server like this (bottom); it looks like a rather odd marriage.

 

It looks like a 1890s-1920s dresser to me. Nice, but not very rare.

That said, those that know more than I (most everyone breathing) will be along to let you know the real scoop!

 

I was thinking more 1910-30.
Most likely not American.

Not a sideboard, but a dresser.

@verybrad

 

The drawer fronts are 17th century style, the box stretcher is like an 18th century tavern table but the mirror? very odd.
I don't think it's marriage because the mirror posts seem to match the legs below case.
I'll guess dresser as well.

 

It's a jacobean revival piece for sure, sometime in 20th century but i have never seen one like this form with the mirror. I am guessing it was not very popular in it's day which is why not many around today.

 

It would be very awkward to sit there, there is no cut-out for the knees to fit in. I think the mirror was added later .. just my opinion, ... Joy.

 

I thing the mirror is original, and dressers with attached mirrors were very common. What is uncommon and what I think is throwing people is that this is up on stretchers - not a common form for a bedroom dresser.

 

Agrees, yes, threw in 1 to many styles together on this one, the box stretchers don't work in my view from a functional point of view..

 

From my personal point of view the stretchers don't work from a functional OR a design angle. It is out of proportion, clunky, dysfunctional, and as you mentioned, a mishmash of styles. I think the manufacturer was trying too hard to encompass everything that had been in style for decades with the then current trends, and pushing their idea of "the latest" thing. A dismal failure in all respects, but it probably did appeal to a certain class of buyer at the time. All that said, if I owned it and had nothing other, I would probably "dress it" and use it as a sideboard................

 

Thanks everyone, I definitely joined the right furniture forum, I’m appreciative of every single comment and feedback. I was also thinking of removing the mirror and using as a straight up sideboard. One more thing, is there any literature out there to help me gain knowledge and help me in identifying some of these pieces. We don’t come across really nice old furniture here in the southwest all that often.
v/r
Mario

 

Mario - Let me apologize for my neglect in not welcoming you to the forum before now.............. Welcome!!!
I hope you don't think my aim in airing my opinions was meant to denigrate your piece or your taste. My posts are exactly that - MY opinion. We tend to discuss things as we see them here. And while I do not have lot of experience with antiques per se, I have a deep background in social history/archeology and with a minor background in domestic style and form, so that is usually how I approach an item.

As mentioned, I think this would well serve as a sideboard. As for any books, references, etc. on the subject, I'll allow others to handle that - I have none left in my library, besides they were quite out of date (as am I!!).

 

@Ownedbybear
Does this look like an English style to you?

 

Hi Mario, and WELCOME to ANTIQUERS!!!! I think an awful lot of it (unless you want to get professionally educated!!) is just being around all types of the furniture, exposing yourself to as much as you can, having an awesome memory, and doing reading on your own as well!!! I grew up with antiques and there is still SO MUCH I don't know!!!!! However, I have found these below links to be helpful several times.........plus I'm sure there are plenty of others out there I am just not aware of or haven't found yet!!! These might get you started anyway!!! Happy hunting!!

https://www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/a_primer_on_furniture_styles/

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dat...HfvFBlYQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1052&bih=583&dpr=1.54

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399553798161568760/

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/twelve-periods-of-american-furniture-3536520

 

Circa 1930 and likely English in origin. As others said, a revival piece not really replicating any one true style. I, also, would be tempted to lose that mirror. Even dressers that really look like dressers often sell better without their mirrors these days.

 

Yes, TONS! You seem attracted to early (17th-18th century) furniture, one of the best books in my view is Wallace Nutting "Furniture Treasury" for early stuff. It's considered the "bible" by early furniture people even though some of the information in it has been proven wrong by later research. Still a great book for early pieces & good place to start, and it's cheap, $30 new and $5 used at Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Furniture-Treasury-Volumes-Wallace-Nutting/dp/0025909800

 

It's English, we did that style a lot. I've seen plenty here. Meant for a chap usually and came in a bedroom suite. 1920s or a little earlier and I'd leave it alone. It's well made and useful: women don't sit at dressing tables any more, but they do look in mirrors. And that's a decent mirror.

 

Thanks Aquitaine, definitely will check out these sites, much appreciated

 

James, thanks for the tip.