Waterfall Cedar Chest / Waterfall Chest of Drawers
Storage (Dresser / Chest of Drawers) · Art Deco / Streamline Moderne (circa 1930s-1940s) · Unmarked, likely produced by a prominent American bedroom furniture manufacturer of the depression era (such as Bassett, Cavalier, or Lane styling influences).
Type
Storage (Dresser / Chest of Drawers)
Style Period
Art Deco / Streamline Moderne (circa 1930s-1940s)
Material
Mixed hardwood structure with walnut and blonde wood veneers, decorative inlaid banding, and wooden handles.
Age Estimate
Circa 1930-1945, consistent with the height of the Waterfall furniture craze in the US.
Dimensions
Estimated height 42 inches, width 32 inches, depth 18 inches. Typical for a standard American mid-century upright chest of drawers.
Origin
United States, North American mass-market domestic furniture production.
Designer/Maker
Unmarked, likely produced by a prominent American bedroom furniture manufacturer of the depression era (such as Bassett, Cavalier, or Lane styling influences).
Value Estimate
Retail/Antique market value ranges generally between $200 and $500 depending on regional demand, brand, and exact condition.
Description
This is a classic vintage waterfall-style chest of drawers, highly representative of the Depression-era and Art Deco design movements in America. It features a stepped, rounded top edge characteristic of the waterfall style, combined with striking contrasting veneers, geometric wood inlays, and stepped side moldings that give it a streamlined, elegant profile.
Key Features
Waterfall rounded top edge, contrasting dark walnut and blonde wood veneers, geometric inlaid banding, and stepped vertical side moldings.
Color & Finish
Rich medium-brown walnut tones contrasted with lighter honey-blonde veneered panels, finished in a glossy varnish or lacquer with characteristic age-related patina.
Construction Method
Factory-made using standard mid-20th-century American furniture manufacturing techniques, featuring veneered plywood panels over solid wood framing.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Machine-cut dovetail joints on drawers, standard for mass-produced furniture of the mid-20th century, offering reliable everyday durability.
Wood Grain & Species
Book-matched and contrasting wood veneers featuring distinct grain directions, notably diagonal and diamond parquetry patterns on the top drawer front alongside decorative stringing/inlay.
Surface Treatment
High-gloss lacquer or shellac finish with waterfall curved edge molding along the top cap.
Upholstery Details
Not applicable.
Hardware & Fittings
Original small circular wooden knobs on the top drawers and matching elongated horizontal wooden pulls with inlaid geometric patterns on the lower drawers.
Origin & Provenance
United States, North American mass-market domestic furniture production.
Condition Notes
Good vintage condition. Shows minor surface scuffs, light scratches, and typical wear consistent with age and use, but retains structural integrity and original hardware.
Interesting Facts
The 'waterfall' furniture style gained massive popularity during the Great Depression because manufacturers could use cheaper core woods covered by glamorous, exotic face veneers to give families affordable luxury.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of design during the 1930s, bringing Hollywood-inspired glamour and modern streamlined aesthetics into average American homes.
Similar Pieces
Waterfall cedar chests and waterfall vanities from the same era; distinguished from later mid-century modern pieces by their ornate veneered patterns and rounded waterfall edges.
Care & Maintenance
Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent veneer cracking or lifting. Treat periodically with a quality furniture polish or paste wax.
Value Estimate
Retail/Antique market value ranges generally between $200 and $500 depending on regional demand, brand, and exact condition.
Sustainability Notes
Represents inherent sustainability through vintage reuse and high durability, keeping historical craftsmanship in circulation and out of landfills.