Need information on antique vanity

[kellkit]

I purchased this vanity at a garage sale.  The owner had no information on the piece.  Everything appears to be original hardware, mirrors, drawers, etc.  It is going to need some work and I would like to know if I should have it restored.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[cellblime]

Just a FYI....you need to add [/img] after the url.

[mart]

You can post the pics here !!

[sapphire]

Added [ ] for kellkit  


oops, someone is faster.   Ignore   

[kellkit]

Thanks, this is the first time I've done this

[sapphire]

I'll wait for the experts to chime in with their opinions.....but to me, judging by the medallion and the draw pulls, you've got a nice old piece there.  Are the 'drops' on the pulls wooden?

[kellkit]

Yes, they are.

[waywardangler]

This already appears to have been refinished at some point. The edges/corners on the drawers are rounded like they have been sanded. The original maker would not have done this.

[kellkit]

Yes, I think it has been refinished

[waywardangler]

If it has been refinished then it cannot be restored in the true sense of the word. It could be refinished again but it looks OK as is. Why do you want to redo this piece? What work does it need?

Vanities in my area (Wisconsin) are not expensive by any means. $50 or less is the going price. Vanities are not very useful anymore as most houses do not have room for this extra piece of furniture.

[kellkit]

There are a few dings and deep scratches in the wood.  Do you have any idea how old this might be? 

[mart]

I would do nothing more to the finish if it were me !! It appears that the drops and possibly the pull itself has been replaced !!  The drop portion looks too large for a dainty piece and looking at the close up pic there are shadows showing the original circle of the old pulls !!  Also the drop doesn`t fit the metal exactly and it was put in crooked it appears !!

[waywardangler]

No idea as to age. Gouges in wood can be raised if the fibers are not cut by using an iron on a damp cloth directly over the gouge. This must be done slowly so the wood does not scorch. The finish may need to be redone after this or maybe just polished out with rottenstone. Old English furniture polish does a very fine job of blending minor nicks and dings into the finish. I would try the least obtrusive method and work up. In wood finishing, you can't put back on what you take off.

[mart]

Looks like a modified Queen Anne pad foot so I would guess it to be from the 30`s or so !!

[kellkit]

I will take your advice and not mess with the finish.