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Guide to Antique Dressers

Even a person unfamiliar with antiques and collectible furniture has seen or even unwittingly owned dressers made in some of the more popular classic design styles. That huge dark walnut dresser in your grandmother̵7;s living room--the one that was impossible to move without a team of able-bodied--may very well have been an expensive antique. Here̵7;s a primer on the most recognizable antique dressers in America, what they look like and how to research their authenticity.

Rococo Revival and Turn of the Century Styles
- Compare the characteristics of several antique dresser styles to determine what fits into your home decor and your price range. Rococo Revival dressers, carved out of rosewood, walnut or mahogany, have round corners and drawer pulls detailed with leaves or fruits. These cabinets were laminated to make the surface curvy, and often had serpentine shaped fronts. Originally produced from 1845 to 1865, current furniture manufacturers produce imitations of Rococo Revival dressers with simpler, flat carvings and cheaper woods. Turn of the century dressers, crafted between the Spanish Civil War and 1920, were made of oak with faint stripes through it, referred to as a ̶0;tiger̶1; grain. By this time walnut and chestnut supplies had dwindled, and oak became the prevalent medium. Twisted or swirly dresser legs ended in animal (̶0;claw̶1;) feet, and simple frames borders accompanying mirrors. Drawers opened by pulling on a small brass ring, either by itself or mounted on a plaque or other adornment.
Elaborate Renaissance Revival Dressers
- Study the most ornate antique dressers, produced during the Renaissance Revival era. Dressers of this type gained popularity from the 1850s to 1870s. They have cookie cut corners and a marble inlay top. Usually made from walnut, they sport carved handles and have fluted (grooved) legs. Framed mirrors with intricate carvings were often included with Renaissance Revival dressers. Mirror frame and dresser carvings range from a crest and arms, to glyphs, lutes or human heads or figures. Elaborate designs often topped the mirror, while candle cups or holders decorated the sides. Dressers of this period tended to be large and heavy and sometimes contained side drawers next to the longer drawers. The most ornate designs of this time featured inlaid plaques of marble or bronze.
Research Dresser Prices and Identify Fakes
- Check out Antique Dresser Sets, 1890s to 1950s, by Roseann Ettinger, to check out variations on these basic types and research their value. Ensure that you̵7;re buying a true antique, and not a clever reproduction.When inspecting antique dressers, look for slight fading in wood and thin, slightly bended mirror glass, which indicate an older, handcrafted piece. Also keep in mind that some sellers refer to dressers as a ̶0;chest of drawers̶1; or a ̶0;vanity dresser,̶1; the latter a term for a low dresser with a matching mirror used for applying cosmetics.

Antiques