Possible Colonial Dresser

[dustyn79]

I bought this piece yesterday and was told by the lady that I bought it from that it was over 200 years old. It belonged to her Grandmother who was from Rhode Island and the piece itself was from England. I bought it with the intentions of redoing it, possibly painting, and then realized I may have something that shouldn't be messed with. I contact an appraiser in the Dallas Area where I live and was told that it would be over $400 for them to come out and appraise it. She asked a few questions regarding specifics.

It is missing one know. She did not have it.
Has marble top which appears to be original.
No new hardware in or out.
Claw feet are solid wood with no brass.
3 Dovetails on each drawer and none of them symmetrical.
Measures 41 1/8 In Wide; 38 In Tall (including marble); 19 Inches Deep
All of the legs are intact and not broken
No markings anywhere inside or out


Please let me know what you think... Where its from? When? Value?

Thank you for the help!

[KC]

Just throwing in my two cents...the feet are very elaborate for a Colonial period piece.

Are you in Dallas or near Canton area?

If this is truly a Colonial Period piece you should shop around and get an appraisal. Hands on is the best.

When you reply to this...you can add more pictures with your reply without opening up a new topic section.

Can you post pictures of:  Closeup of the feet, Back side of the piece, Pull out a drawer and a pic of the side of the drawer, Close up of hardware (handle, lock, etc).

[dustyn79]

Dallas/Grand Prairie area.  Here is one of the feet and I can get more when I get home. Thanks for the help!

[KC]

These are not claw feet...claw feet looks just like the name says - a claw.

These are more elaborate!

This style, to me, is more reminiscent of late 1800's to very early 1900's.  Will know more once you post more pics.

[mart]

Look more like a French dresser to me although both France and UK used similar dovetailing !! Need more pics as KC said !! Inside of one of the drawers too please !!

[bigwull]

$400....as a callout charge.... .....you,ve got more chance of finding out its potential worth on here....and all the advice is free....rather than being ripped by....this appraiser.....
you can get a free appraisal here....just send them pics and details as you have above and you will get a reply....this is a very reputable Auction House in Scotland...and they don,t charge....

http://www.greatwesternauctions.com/

[dustyn79]

Thanks. I think the total was $419 and some change. That charge is if they can appraise for more than their charge. If they value it less than that, she said they would just charge $250 for coming out....lol I really appreciate everyone's advice and comments. I am taking it all in and hope to learn more throughout the process

[mart]

Looks like a very nice dresser !! You were right to check before destroying its value !!  Waiting for additional pics !!

[dustyn79]

Thanks "bigwull" I just emailed them.

[jacon4]

An English colonial dresser? Kinda a contradiction in terms isn't it?

[dustyn79]

The lady I bought from claimed it was from England then the appraisal lady said it sounded colonial..... That's why I'm on here, to get educated

[jacon4]

Hey dustyn79, welcome to the zoooooooooo! Well, generally speaking, colonial, at least in the USA, refers to american furniture pieces C 1720-1780. Your dresser is not of the colonial period (18th century), i would say more late 19th century or early 20th.

[bigwull]

Ah!!...but....I,m sure America was once a colony....of ..King Geordie....and his muckers.....that was until he got his arse kicked....soooooooo ooo..is,nt it possible....that this piece of "English" furniture....found its way over to a "British" colony....that was essentially populated by millions of Indians.....that the colonists...eventua lly almost wiped out.....

[jacon4]

Oh Yeah, it's possible and actually did in fact that colonists brought some of their furniture from their home country to the american colonies. Indeed, english furniture imports to america was big business in the american colonies. Still, whether you brought a piece from england, france or germany, that piece would not be considered an american colonial piece, if this makes any sense.

Bottom line, where the piece was built determines what the piece is referred to as.

[bigwull]

Mmm.....my way of thinking is....if this piece was brought over by an early colonist....and ....then 200..odd years later it would,nt be wrong to call it a colonial piece...irrespectiv e of where it was made....