Featured American Empire Flame Mahogany Chest?

I would appreciate any help you all can offer to identify the type and era of my dresser. We are downsizing and trying to decide what to keep/sell/donate. Any info you can offer would help me make an informed decision. Thank you for any and all input.

1. Please state what country your furniture was purchased in or inherited from.
My husband and I have a dresser we bought 30 years ago at an auction in New York City. We were young and excited to buy something but don't have any provenance because, we were young. The auctioneer said the lot was from the home of the founder of Ethan Allan Furniture but that's all I remember. I assume it is American Empire Style but possibly depression era. My husband thinks it's from the 1920s. Our assumptions have no basis.

2. Please give measurements - Height, Width and Depth.
46"tall x 44"wide x 20"deep

3. Pictures "Full Image", (must be 1mb or lower).
a. Front and back (if possible).
Front


Side


Back


b. If there is a drawer, a picture of the dovetails.
Top drawer side view


All the drawers back & underneath view


c. A picture of any marks or labels.
there are no marks or labels but here are some additional photos

Inside


Nails at bottom of back and also joinery(?) by back foot

 

@verybrad
@Ghopper1924

 

Circa 1850 classical revival or pillar and scroll. Often gets misnamed empire. Unfortunately, the market is soft for this style. Here in the Midwest, we would be under $200.00 on something like this. This would be true even given your above average condition and nice scroll back board. You would probably do better in or near NYC.

 

Thank you. This is very helpful.

 

It's a crying shame really. It's bold and sculptural without all the fussy carving that came later. I can easily see that in a very modern home, but you know some Yahoo would paint it.

 

Welcome @MartiHB . I want to thank you for following the advice posted at the top of the forum, and going about it so diligently. You are an example to any newbie.

 

A beautiful mid-19th Century late Neo-Classical piece faced in lovely flame mahogany veneer. Great condition! You’ll never buy anything remotely as nice for 5 times the price quoted by Very brad, which price is sadly accurate.

Please keep this high quality piece. The nicest chest Ashley ever made can’t hold a candle to it.

 

Amen. I've heard from some UK dealers lamenting that Georgian mahogany furniture is going for pennies too. I don't think Victorian gets a second thought, even from the dealers. (sigh) Buy the good quality pieces while they're all but being given away. Your dresser will be in good shape and ready to roll 100 years from now.

 

That is beautiful! Please keep it if you can, or donate it to someone you know who would love it. We have a lot of lovely antique furniture given to us by relatives. I haven’t found anything as nice as yours in any antique store.

 

Isn't that lovely? Almost like a piece of sculpture. Hope you will continue to find house room for it.

Debora

 

Ooh I would definitely keep that if I were you.

But you came and asked the opinions of people who love antiques so we're all biased!

Older furniture can be a bit heavy to move, but furniture movers are a life saver, both the foot pucks and the inexpensive wood furniture dollies. For justifying the piece for keep I would say what better piece than a sentimental one that has storage! Unless all your pieces are as amazing....and then we'll want to see them!

Good luck on your downsizing!

 

It's a Statement piece now, so doesn't need to sit in a bedroom. It could hold linens and Stuff somewhere else too and look good while doing it.

 

Wow. You all have helped me fall in love with this chest again. Thank you.

Perhaps this goes in another thread but...
In this dresser, if the contents of a drawer brush against the bottom of the box above, sawdust marks the fabric.
-I wiped down the boxes but that didn't solve the problem.
-My next thought is to tack in some type of liner.

What do you recommend to prevent this? Does this happen in other chests?
Thank you

 

On second thought, I will make a new thread...