Hi, my grandmother (91) left me this cabinet and mirror. It came from my great-grandparents house (in Los Angeles). I am trying to learn more about it just to have some history. The cabinet is 48″ wide by 19″ deep and approximately 36″ high. I believe it is smoked mirror and maybe it is reverse painted. Any information would be great!
If the house was an eclectic mix,, no doubt I would have felt right at home !! Would you consider joining the group I linked to and posting your items there ?? Seriously,, I am the only one that ever helps here !! The antique-shop.com is a more active forum and other members that will help you as well as myself !! We would love to have you as a member !! No reason why you can not be a member of this forum as well as the other !!
Hi Martha, Thank you for your thoughtful response and research. It may have been imported as my great-grandparents traveled a lot and owned a lot of Asian furniture, as well as some American and European. I’m in the process of getting it restored right now, which was complicated because the mirror contains Mercury. I will have to see if I can find any marks on it. Unfortunately, all I know is my Uncle and Aunt telling me it was in my great-grandparents foyer when they were kids (in the 40’s and 50’s). I have some other items I’m curious about as well, but my guess is they were imported too. I know one is a turtle-top marble table, a Dorothy Draper coffee table, a dresser (which I will need to inspect more), other wood furniture, and some Asian lamps. As you can see, it was probably an eclectic mix I’ll have to look closely at everything and see what I can find out! Thanks again!
http://www.antique-shop.com/forums/index.php?topic=17752.0
Here is a link so you can read the response !! I hate to disappoint you but rarely will there be any history on furniture of this type !! I strongly believe it is an imported piece !! There was so much furniture brought into the U.S. mid century from everywhere that unless the mfrs name is on it,,finding out who made it is almost impossible !! Any relevant history would have been with your grandmother !! Good idea to always get the history of an item before someone`s passing !! And I know that is not always possible !!
A piece of furniture has no history till someone buys it and takes it home,, that’s when the history begins !!
One more thing- I was very close to my grandmother and she told my Aunt and Uncle she wanted me to have this cabinet and mirror when she passed (in June). My father died when I was young, and I was very close to my grandmother. I would love to know some history about this piece because I feel connected to her through it- if that makes sense. I spent a lot of time talking with her and even lived with her, but never asked her about her furniture. I am also bringing some other items from her house and so you may see me post here again- trying to find out more about my family
Thanks, Martha. I appreciate your help- Yes, feel free to post in on another forum. It was in my great-grandparents’ foyer in Los Angeles when my Dad was growing up in the 1940’s, so it is at least that old. My Aunt told me she thought it was from the 1930’s or 1940’s. Could be American, but could very well be foreign because they had a lot of imported furniture, especially Asian and Italian. My Aunt told me it is called Hollywood Regency, but I am interested in learning more. Thank you again for your time!
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