Chippendale Style Dresser with Swivel Mirror
Storage (Dresser/Bureau) · Chippendale Revival, approximately 1920s-1940s · Likely an American manufacturer such as Drexel, Berkey & Gay, or a regional furniture company from the Grand Rapids area.
Type
Storage (Dresser/Bureau)
Style Period
Chippendale Revival, approximately 1920s-1940s
Material
Solid hardwood core with mahogany or cherry veneers; secondary woods likely poplar or pine; brass hardware; glass mirror.
Age Estimate
Circa 1930-1950 (Depression era or early Post-War Revival).
Dimensions
Height: 65-70 inches (including mirror); Width: 42-45 inches; Depth: 18-20 inches. Typical for a mid-sized bedroom dresser.
Origin
United States; commonly found in middle-class homes during the early to mid-20th century as part of 'Colonial' bedroom suites.
Designer/Maker
Likely an American manufacturer such as Drexel, Berkey & Gay, or a regional furniture company from the Grand Rapids area.
Value Estimate
$200 - $450 USD. Value is driven by utility and style; original finish damage and being a mass-produced revival piece keep it in an affordable tier for collectors.
Description
This classic Chippendale Revival dresser features a four-tier drawer configuration with a split top drawer. The piece is crowned by an elegant detachable swivel mirror featuring a decorative pediment with a hand-carved shell motif and scrollwork. Resting on sturdy bracket feet with a serpentine apron, the dresser combines utility with the formal aesthetic of the 18th-century English tradition.
Key Features
Batwing brass pulls, carved shell mirror crest, ogee bracket feet, and a two-over-three drawer arrangement.
Color & Finish
Dark reddish-brown mahogany stain with a semi-gloss lacquer finish. Shows signs of aged patina and some surface wear.
Construction Method
Factory-made during the revival era; features mass-produced elements combined with traditional structural designs like the bracket feet and scrollwork.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Likely machine-cut dovetails on the drawer boxes; mortise and tenon construction for the mirror frame and dresser carcass.
Wood Grain & Species
Mahogany veneers on the drawer fronts showing a fine, straight to interlocked grain; solid turned wood supports for the mirror.
Surface Treatment
Stained and lacquered; features a carved shell motif on the mirror crest and a scalloped apron along the base.
Upholstery Details
None
Hardware & Fittings
Traditional brass 'batwing' or 'willow' style bail pulls and stamped brass escutcheons. Mirror features turned wooden supports and metal swivel pins.
Origin & Provenance
United States; commonly found in middle-class homes during the early to mid-20th century as part of 'Colonial' bedroom suites.
Condition Notes
Grade: Fair to Good. Visible finish loss on the second drawer left side; scattered scuffs and chips on the base and feet; mirror silvering appears intact but frame hardware shows age.
Interesting Facts
The 'shell' carving on the crest is a hallmark of the Queen Anne and Chippendale styles, symbolizing wealth and sophisticated taste in the 18th century, later popularized again during the 20th-century Colonial Revival movement.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Colonial Revival' period in America, where homeowners sought to reconnect with early American/European roots through traditional furniture forms during a time of rapid industrialization.
Similar Pieces
Queen Anne dressers (which usually have cabriole legs) or Federal-style dressers (which feature tapered legs and lighter wood inlays).
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft, damp cloth followed by a high-quality furniture wax. Avoid silicone-based sprays. Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent further finish fading.
Value Estimate
$200 - $450 USD. Value is driven by utility and style; original finish damage and being a mass-produced revival piece keep it in an affordable tier for collectors.
Sustainability Notes
Constructed of solid wood and high-quality veneers, this piece is highly sustainable due to its longevity and repairability compared to modern flat-pack furniture.