Posted 8 years ago
HMoon
(1 item)
I purchased this dresser from an auction about 12 years ago. It was my initial intention to refinish it, but have not had a chance as of yet. I've been using it as a sideboard in my kitchen. I believe it's made out of pine as it's not too heavy. But, then when I look at the back, I'm not quite sure as it's a different color of wood. I originally believed it to also be from 1900's - 1920's. Now, wonder if it's from the 1800's. I saw similar ones on this site, but nothing exactly like it. I think maybe the bottom left drawer pull is original but the rest are replacements. Any idea what the original hardware should look like? Someone who owned it before me, filled the key holes with wood putty. Any idea how to remove that and be able to get it back to it's original condition? It has metal castors on the legs. When I look under the bottom, it looks as if that front ornate piece on the bottom of the dresser has been broken off on both sides so they look like they match and look originally that shape from a distance. It measures 34 1/4" tall, 17" deep at the narrowest location and 20" at the deepest on top, and 43" wide on the top. The drawers are dove tailed together. The bottoms in them are thin wood panels of some sort, kind of like what was used in between the back panel boards, but they are not warped in the drawers. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I think you were right with your original age estimate-- it looks like early 20th century to me based on the style. While it is dovetailed they are machine cut and not hand cut.
Photos of the interior of the drawers showing the back of the attachment hardware should yield some clues about the original hardware.
scott
Thank you so much Scott :) The backs of the hardware are screws. Can you still tell by those, or should they be something other than that on in the inside of the drawers? Now that I went and looked at that again, maybe the three that match are original and the lower left one isn't. It's actually a little smaller and looks like the holes don't match up on the back.
Glad to help.
Usually the back will show the original holes-- where they were enlarged or holes added for replacement hardware. Some times it is easy to tell with a quick look-- or it may be more involved/ may require removal of the hardware itself to get a better look.
scott
I agree with Scott on the age issue. As for the wood on the back, that is called secondary wood. Cheaper and thinner wood was used where it wouldn't show. Therefore it may be any species that was selling cheap when this was built. That cut down on production costs. The key holes should be fairly easy if it is actually wood putty and not a form of epoxy filler. You need a steady hand and a dremel tool or even an electric drill. Use a bit smaller than the original opening and bore a hole. Then get a couple dental picks and pry away at the filler. Sometimes wetting it with some lacquer thinner will help soften it up. If an old timer filled the holes it will be more of a chore because they made their own filler from saw dust and glue.
Thanks, Scott. I'll take a look at that. Thanks, Fhrjr2. The primary wood on the back also looks different than the rest of the piece. It's darker, so didn't know if they also mixed woods there as well. I'm hoping it's just wood putty and not epoxy filler or the home-made filler. The lock parts are still intact on the inside of the drawers, so maybe it wouldn't take too much to get them cleaned up.