Featured Is This Dresser a good purchase?...Age?

Hi!....I recently saw this dresser at the Thrift store.....and took a few pictures....I know very little about furniture so I usually don't purchase it.....but it does look old...maybe late 1800's -early 1900's...I'm guessing?.......if someone knows anything about this type of furniture....please share.....Thanks!

 

I think you're right on the date. Nice oak grain !

The price may be a bit high for these days and times, but you could probably talk them down to $125 pretty easily. Good, heavy piece that will be around another hundred years from now.

 

I would consider this a sideboard/server/buffet - Empire style. Is that tiger oak or grain painted?

 

Guesses grain painted/inked, sideboard because of cupboard doors, still a good deal though at $125-$150. Solid wood, built like a tank.

 

I agree on the grain-painted opinions.

 

My grandma had one... definitely 1900's. It was the "buffet" "sideboard" that sat in her dining room. She kept long tablecloth linens in the bottom, glass in the middle and silverware in the two top drawers.
Leslie

 

Circa 1910 empire revival style buffet. I would not pay that much for a false grain piece, which this appears to be.

 

Many of us don't consider grain painted to be a bad thing.....those pieces tend to do well down in the south. I find them charming but that's just my opinion.

 

I had to take a double take at your picture to make sure you weren’t in my house! I have the exact same piece. I can confirm it’s very heavy.

 

Good point about painted pieces.
Another thing is, wood prices these days, 1- 4x8 exterior plywood sheet is $75-$80 at the big box hardware stores which is a bit unreal. It is estimated that in new house construction, these sky-high wood prices have added $36,000. USD to the average house cost just to cover wood price increases.
You have to wonder if these wood prices will translate into higher prices for old furniture, seems like it should at some point.

 

My husband is a custom residential and commercial builder. We are hoping to see the lumber prices come back down mid July. Our framing package went from $75,000 to $120,000 almost overnight! It would be great if our lovely, old and nicely built antique furniture would do as well!

 

Amen!

Our framing package went from $75,000 to $120,000 almost overnight! It would be great if our lovely, old and nicely built antique furniture would do as well!

Amen again!

Grain painting has a long and interesting history. However, when it comes to refinishing, give me.....er.....NOT grain painted.

 

Around here you have to beg people to buy Victorian furniture, unfortunately. My guess is it's rock solid and built to last another 100 years. Why anyone buys Ikea I have no idea.

 

Someone else purchased it....it was placed near the door waiting for pick-up.....I wanted to know if I missed out on a good furniture flip/resale.....Thanks for the information!

 

True but, I have seen some really outstanding paint jobs on old furniture the last few years that sell for pretty good money on sites like Etsy.

Tough to make money flipping this style of furniture unless you get it for free.

 

Agree. Definitely not a good flip/resale item. Between the hassle of moving it and storing it, plus original price, you might loose money in the end.

That said, it was a cool piece, nice size and functional. I'm sure the new owners will love it.

Just this kind of furniture is in a slump price-wise at the moment.