Help me date this dresser...

A couple of questions...

If it came with a mirror, would it have been attached? If so, there must be evidence off that on the back, correct?

Also, I've read a lot about dovetails. This doesn't have them. What do you call the way the drawers are attached? This piece was definitely machine cut, correct? Any other information about the process and how that fits into the timeline would be appreciated.

My first day at antique furniture and I'm thinking I'm hooked. Another hobbie that I don't need

 

LOL, Steve. Join the club! And this is just how it happens: a gift, a trip to a museum, your next-door neighbor's silverware...

In addition to all that stellar research, may I add that such a piece of furniture, in that area of the state, is known as a bureau. With mirror, it might be called a dresser - but such things were later in time. To me, your piece does not look as if it ever had an attached mirror.

Until Brad pointed it out, I had not realized that this was rather regional usage. If you acquire any more Philadelphia pieces, here's one more. That, often large, piece of furniture in the dining room which holds the silverware, table linens, punch bowl, etc., etc., in its drawers, is known as a sideboard in the Philadelphia area. Elsewhere it may be called a buffet, and there are other names which are not coming to mind at the moment.

May I add that you and your mother have admirable taste, and one keeps detachable collars in one of those top drawers.

 

Whether or not this had a mirror is probably dependent on height. If there have been no major modifications, you should be able to see how a mirror was attached if it had one.

The drawer joint is interesting and I don't know if it has a specific name. It is a combination of a dado and a rabbet joint. It certainly would have been strong but somewhat flies in the face of the very standard dovetail being used by most. You sometimes see more simple rabbet joints being used in this time period on less expensive pieces but most nice furniture like this had dovetails.

 

If I saw that here, with a marble top, I'd call it a wash stand.

 

I'd call it a bureau or a chest of drawers (I'm originally from NYC).

 

Well...actually...it's called Gwendolyn.

 

Oh, how I resisted saying THAT! And of course there is "I can't help you with the Dresser, but I know a Hat Tree that's looking for a good time".................

 

Personally, I'd go for Chester Drawers.

 

Or Chester Draws. Quite the artist, I hear.

 

Pat, I grew up with pieces of furniture like that being called a "chest of drawers." Actually, I still use that term.