Years ago, I received the furniture shown in the linked photos as a family heirloom.
[img]https://goo.gl/photos/SsZvoj23pag8gYus6[/img]
i am now trying to find information on this piece. For example:
1) Who is (or is likely) the maker/manufacturer (name, region, location, etc.)?
2) If they are no longer in business, what became of them (sold off to ___, closed shop, etc.)?
3) Where can I find or what are the collector’s/woodworker’s terms for:
(a) the 4 horizontal “cigar rolls” in its design?
(b) the “buttons” on the ends of the top roll?
(c) the “entablature” at the top of the mirror frame? …and
(d) the vase-shaped pilasters with fluted capitals?
And, where do all these elements come from? From what I have found so far, they are “American Empire” but I can’t find anything more on them.
4) Also, from what I have found, this peice:
— may be from the 1890’s…Does that sound about right?
— may have been originally sold as part of a bedroom set…Is that correct/reasonable?
— may have been “a lady’s washstand” given the low height of the mirror…Is that plausible?
And, why do you think the way you do on each of these possibilities? I think that would be very helpful, thank you.
5) OOOPS, I almost forgot: Do you know of any resources (books, price guides, etc.) where I can find out more on this washstand, its maker, its elements, its original context, etc.? If so, I’d really appreciate your help identifying such resources.
NOTE: My grandfather refinished it with “orange shellac” and replaced most of the original hardware (handles, swivel pulls, hinges). He and my grandmother used the cabinet as a sideboard in their breakfast room. The mirror frame, its applied carvings, the original wood casters (broken and whole), and mirror were stored separately and I still have them.
Well,, there are enough similar elements to say that is a possibility !! Each mfr would have had several different patterns !! But if I were searching I would use the less common elements of the washstand !! The paw feet were not that common on washstands !! Most were simple country styling with a rather plain foot !!
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=feet%20on%20american%20oak%20washstands
Like these !!
Change your wording as you search !! You can use Golden Oak washstand,, Or oak washstand with paw feet !! Each change will likely bring up different examples !! You can also use the individual elements and see what comes up !!
Awesome. This is so0o helpful. Lots to digest.
One follow up question: “Is there a best search engine/method, and would using the the time period and parts names help in finding more examples similar to my washstand?”
After posting this, I did some more looking on Google Images using the terms “golden oak,” “washstand” and “Ohio”, and came across this blog where someone found another similar piece in an antique store in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
At first, I thought they were maybe from the same manufacturer, but now after your post, I realize that the cabinetmaker/manufacturer could simply have used the same pattern book. I’d like to find if there are more examples.
OK !! The pic just didn`t load the first time I tried !! Did the next time though !!
If your grandparents lived in KY the main two centers for furniture at that time would have been Grand Rapids, MI and after 1890 High Point NC !! Rarely would it have been shipped from west to east unless they had tons of money !! Remember rails in the west were limited !!
A number of mfrs were absorbed or bought by other companies and sometimes more than once so without a mfrs name,, its only guesswork !!
Now to the style,, back then there were no design patents and borrowing between mfrs was common !! Many of the designers of the day just put their version of what they thought furniture should be in a book !! Cabinetmakers of the time could then interpret as they wished !! That could differ between cabinetmakers or could be very similar !! Same with large mfrs but they were making furniture to sell so if the company on the next block made a type of washstand that was selling well,, nothing was stopping them from using the same elements with only minor variations !!
Your washstand is Empire Revival which would be different from period Empire !! So be sure to use that in your searches !! Could have been made anywhere between 1890 and 1910 !!
No, would not have come with a bedroom set !! These were separate and independent, purchased as single piece of furniture !! Back then a set consisted of a bed ,nightstand and usually a dresser, Even chests of drawers were usually bought separately !! Although some mfrs would allow the substitution of a chest instead of a dresser for gentlemen !!
The use of “Bedroom Set” was more a post 1900 term rather than pre 1900 !! Remember money was scarce so people only bought what they really needed !! The more affluent of society would be the one purchasing the sets !! Middle classes would buy the bed only if thats what they needed !!
Now you wanted to know what the parts are called !! Honestly that depends on who you ask !! Can e different terms !! The top of the mirror frame where the applique is attached is the “top crest”, the sides are “standards” then the bottom is the “bottom support”
The Cigar roll as you call it,, as far as I know has no name that I have ever heard !! I call it a “horizontal column” which it is !!
The vase shape part can be called a “balluster or vase shaped support or vase shaped pillar or pilaster” as I said it depends on who you ask !! I am sure the mfrs had names for them but even that can vary between mfrs !! These were mass produced and machine made !! Usually the assembly only was done by a person !!
The feet are called Paw Feet and are different from claw feet !!
Hope I have covered most of what you wanted to know !! If not just ask !!
1st: Let me try an help you: You need to cut and paste the URL that I provided into the command line (aka Address, Location, or Website Bar) of your browser. I’ve done that as an anonymous (not logged in) Websurfer before i posted, and again just now, and it works on the Mac, iPad, and iPhone that I tried it on. Please let me know if you are still having trouble after cutting and pasting the URL into the Address Bar! …keeping my fingers crossed, hoping it works for you.
2nd: Thank you for the advice on how common American golden oak washstands are as a population. And, how poorly documented are the manufacturers. That said, it is my only such piece so the challenge of learning as much as one can about it is still mine.
And, to that end, I think I should add that my grandparents lived in Lousiville, KY and i once saw a picture of a similar, but less ornate, piece I think it was located in either in Indiana or Ohio. As I recall, that other piece did not include a bow front nor mirror frame, and had straight pilasters instead of the the vase-shaped pilasters of mine. But did include the same claw feet and cigar rolls.