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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Dresser with Mirror questions (dark wood)

« on: August 10, 2011, 01:19:46 pm »

Thanks again for all the comments.

Unfortunately right now I am in severe financial distress and trying to find anything I have of value that I can sell - thus I was trying to figure out the scoop on this dresser, if it was worth anything, & how to go about selling it.  As much as I like it and would like to keep it I am going to have to try to sell it.

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Dresser with Mirror questions (dark wood)

« on: August 09, 2011, 01:03:00 pm »

Here's a shot of the back of the mirror.

It only has a hanging picture frame wire thing that I can see.

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Dresser with Mirror questions (dark wood)

« on: August 09, 2011, 01:01:10 pm »

Thanks for all the comments/clues.

I dug out the mirror & looked around some more - it is the only thing I have that came "with" this - however I now don't think it is "part" of the dresser.  I'm thinking now it was just hanging on the wall over the dresser, although I really don't remember for sure (it was 20 years ago that I cleaned out her apartment after she passed on).

The mirror itself has nothing that would attach to the dresser - it DOES have a picture hanging thing on the back.  I'm thinking now it must've just been hanging on the wall over the dresser.  Either that or I lost/threw away whatever else was there.  I don't know.

Below are some more photos of the dresser, also of the back of the mirror.   I noticed now that the dresser itself has 2 holes in each of the very top drawer things that also must have been used for mounting something else, like a mirror.

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Dresser with Mirror questions (dark wood)

« on: August 09, 2011, 10:50:35 am »

It also has a circular mirror but I can't remember how it attaches (there are 2 swing up post type things on the back but I have no idea how the mirror attaches to that).

Slipkid, there should be matching screw/bolt holes in the top of the swing-up posts and on both sides of the mirror. If bolt holes (tilting mirror) they will be on the outside "edge" of the frame, ..... if screw holes they will be on the "backside" of the frame.

Thanks. 

I wonder if I am missing something to do with the mirror.  The back of the cabinet has 2 wooden posts with holes in it that swing up, but the mirror is just a circular thing with a metal frame, no posts, no holes, or anything.  I need to look around more....I may be confused as to what is what.  I moved everything out of her house when I moved in here about 20 years ago, put the dresser in my bedroom but never setup the mirror part, left it stashed behind some other furniture in an extra bedroom.  Need to do some rooting around that other bedroom.  I can't recall if the mirror was attached when I took the dresser or what...

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Brass Duck - what is this used for???

« on: August 09, 2011, 10:44:01 am »

Thanks to all for their comments.

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Dresser with Mirror questions (dark wood)

« on: August 08, 2011, 08:56:45 pm »

pin and cove dovetails I believe  c 1870-1890s  

Wow, 1800's?  That is amazing.  I had no idea.  I was thinking maybe circa 1940 or something like that.

Anyone know what kind of wood would be used for this type of thing or what color the paint is?


I'm going to be moving so it's made me take stock of a lot of things & if this is valuable I'd like to sell it.  I realize this is really pushing my newbieness asking this but how do I go about that to get a fair price for this?  I'm afraid of just putting it on Craigslist and getting fleeced by an experienced dealer (I have a different Aunt/Uncle who were victimized by a very unscrupulous dealer a few years ago).

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Brass Duck - what is this used for???

« on: August 08, 2011, 07:38:02 pm »

Thanks for the comments.

My first guess was some kind of candle holder but it didn't seem to make sense because then the duck itself would get all covered in wax - until you folks mentioned that there are such things as glass candle holders, that the candle goes into.  That makes more sense.

Although also interesting comment from Mart about having something similar that is a towel holder.

Looking at it very closely now, it has wear that to me makes me think it was not always an "indoor" duck that was just sitting on a shelf.  Looks more like something that might have been in a garden or fountain or something like that.  The great Aunt that had this had it just sitting in her apartment but it could have come from a house she used to live in or she got it from somewhere like that.



I just went to that ducksunlimited website and this doesn't look like it would be something that comes from there.  I really have no idea though.


Any ideas on this duck value or how I go about selling it??

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Antique Dresser with Mirror questions (dark wood)

« on: August 08, 2011, 07:18:21 pm »

You can date that by the drawer construction. I forget what they called those doweled machined joints.

Thanks for that clue.  That is pretty neat, about using the way the drawers are put together, to arrive at a time period.

Leads me to an obvious question though - where can I find out information about drawer construction to date it??  I am a total newbie at dating antique furniture.   

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Brass Duck - what is this used for???

« on: August 08, 2011, 05:11:56 pm »

Top view showing insides through hole (what is that hole for??? it must have a purpose).

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Antique Questions Forum / Brass Duck - what is this used for???

« on: August 08, 2011, 05:08:45 pm »

I have this old duck thing that I got about 20 years ago when we were cleaning out an old great aunt's apartment.  I've kept it just sitting dust on a shelf - it is so bizarre it is kind of cool.

Does anyone have any idea what it is??  It is hollow with a big hole on the top like it is a candle holder type thing but that doesn't make any sense to me.  How old could it be, value etc??

I assume it is made out of brass.  It is about 10 inches high and 8 inches long (tailfeathers to bill).

Any clues appreciated.  Thanks.

Photos below - sorry for the dust.

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Antique Questions Forum / Antique Dresser with Mirror questions (dark wood)

« on: August 08, 2011, 04:46:17 pm »

I've had this dresser about 20 years - used to belong to a great Aunt.  I don't know anything about its history, where or when she got it. 

I would like to know more about it, approximately how old it is, how it was made, what kind of wood is it, approximate value, how to sell it if I decide to do that etc.

It measures about 50" high, 39" across, and 22" deep.

The feet are small wheels, and the front feet are ornate claws.

The wood appears to be stained a very dark cherry color - you can see the real wood color in the photo of one of the small drawers below.

It also has a circular mirror but I can't remember how it attaches (there are 2 swing up post type things on the back but I have no idea how the mirror attaches to that).

Some photos below.  Any comments appreciated.