Classical American Empire Bureau with Attached Mirror / Tiger Maple Chest of Drawers
Storage (Dresser / Chest with Mirror) · American Empire / Classical (circa 1815-1845) · Unmarked regional American cabinetmaker working in the Northeast or Midwest during the mid-19th century.
Type
Storage (Dresser / Chest with Mirror)
Style Period
American Empire / Classical (circa 1815-1845)
Material
Tiger maple (curly maple) veneer over secondary pine or poplar wood framing; clear varnish finish; glass mirror.
Age Estimate
Circa 1820-1840
Dimensions
Estimated height of 72 inches including the mirror, base chest width of 44 inches, depth of 22 inches. Standard proportions for a mid-19th-century bedroom dressing chest.
Origin
American (likely New England, New York, or Ohio region based on the classic Empire vernacular style).
Designer/Maker
Unmarked regional American cabinetmaker working in the Northeast or Midwest during the mid-19th century.
Value Estimate
Retail value estimated between $1,800 and $3,500 depending on regional market, dealer, and exact provenance.
Description
A magnificent antique American Empire chest of drawers featuring an integrated upright mirror frame, crafted from highly desirable figured tiger maple. The piece features a stepped top drawer configuration over larger lower drawers, flanked by sturdy architectural supports and raised on scrolled feet. The vibrant tiger grain shimmers under the light, showcasing the exceptional choice of veneer popular during the Classical period.
Key Features
Highly figured tiger maple veneer, integrated upright rectangular mirror with matching maple frame, classic Empire proportions, turned wooden pulls, and sturdy scrolled bracket feet.
Color & Finish
Golden-amber wood tones with a chatoyant tiger stripe grain pattern under a rubbed varnish finish, showing authentic age-related patina.
Construction Method
Handcrafted with traditional mortise and tenon and dovetail joinery; solid wood framing applied with highly figured tiger maple veneers on the drawer fronts and mirror frame.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Hand-cut dovetail joinery visible on drawer construction; pegged frame construction indicative of mid-19th-century artisan standards.
Wood Grain & Species
Extremely pronounced curly maple (also known as tiger maple or zebrawood maple) featuring striking chatoyant striping and flame figure.
Surface Treatment
Hand-rubbed varnish or shellac finish accentuating the natural figure of the wood, with minor expected surface distressing from age.
Upholstery Details
Not applicable as this is an all-wood case piece.
Hardware & Fittings
Simple turned wooden knob pulls matching the wood body; visible keyhole escutcheons; brass or iron locks internally fitted.
Origin & Provenance
American (likely New England, New York, or Ohio region based on the classic Empire vernacular style).
Condition Notes
Very good antique condition. Stable structural integrity with minor surface wear, typical crazing to the finish, and gentle fading appropriate for a piece nearly two centuries old.
Interesting Facts
Tiger maple was exceptionally popular in American furniture making during the Federal and Empire periods. Cabinetmakers prized the wood for its dramatic stripe effect, which is caused by a genetic variation in sugar maple trees.
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of American neoclassical and Empire domestic furniture design, reflecting the young nation's desire for opulent, architecturally inspired home furnishings.
Similar Pieces
Late Federal period bureaus, classical mahogany veneer chests of drawers, and transitional New England country empire dressers.
Care & Maintenance
Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and extreme humidity fluctuations. Treat occasionally with high-quality microcrystalline wax.
Value Estimate
Retail value estimated between $1,800 and $3,500 depending on regional market, dealer, and exact provenance.
Sustainability Notes
An inherently sustainable choice as a preserved antique, keeping centuries-old craftsmanship in circulation and requiring zero new material extraction.