The concept of putting wheels on dressers has been around since the 1920s. However, the actual practical application of this concept did not become widespread until the 1950s. During the 1950s, the use of wheels on dressers became very prevalent in North America, as it allowed people to easily move their furniture when they wanted to reposition or rearrange a room.
While they had been around since the 1920s, the actual use of wheels on dressers became popular with the mass production of furniture during the mid-1900s. By the late 20th century, the idea of installing wheels on dressers had become a widely accepted practice for people to easily move furniture around in their homes.
Why do antique dressers have wheels?
Antique dressers often have wheels because these pieces were often used to store clothing, as well as items like linens, books, and other items that weighed a significant amount. Adding wheels to the pieces allowed them to be moved easily and with less effort, so they could be taken with their owners when they moved homes or relocated.
Additionally, this design choice gave the owners the ability to more easily rearrange the furniture in their home. The ability to move dressers with wheels allowed families to make the best use of their limited space and rearrange their home as needed.
How can you tell the age of a dresser?
Some of which require more expertise than others.
The first way to determine the age of a dresser is to look at its construction. Details like the joinery of the piece, the type of wood used, and the presence of dovetailed drawers can provide clues as to when the item was made.
For example, cabinets built prior to 1840 were usually crafted with entirely dovetailed drawers. Meanwhile, furniture produced between 1840 and 1860 used a combination of dovetailed and machine-cut drawers.
Another method of determining the age of a dresser is its style or design. Styles like Chippendale, William and Mary, and Hepplewhite were popular in the eighteenth century, while Victorian, Art-Deco, and Mid-Century Modern pieces were popular in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, respectively.
Lastly, look for hallmarks on the furniture, such as manufacturer stamps, tags, or maker’s marks. If the furniture has a maker’s label, it will typically provide the name of the manufacturer, as well as the date the dresser was made.
This is a surefire way to identify the age of the piece.
How can you tell if furniture is antique wood?
First, check the markings or labels on the piece. Look for a maker’s name or sign that indicates it is an antique. Secondly, look for features such as dovetail joints, which were used for drawers in furniture from the 18th or 19th century.
Also, look for evidence such as circular saw marks, which were used before the advent of electric saws. Additionally, check the wood species, as some woods were more available in the past than they are today.
Look for signs of wear, such as discoloration and patina which indicates an older piece. Lastly, take a look at any hardware on the piece. Old nail heads, locks, and hinges are good indicators that the furniture might be an antique.
How do I find out how old my furniture is?
Figuring out how old your furniture is can be a difficult task. In some cases, the manufacturer might have included a date stamp or label that will help you date the piece. However, if you don’t have that information, there are a few things you can do to narrow down the age of your furniture.
Start by examining the design. Different eras of furniture have different characteristics that can help you figure out a general time frame. Look at the type of material used (solid wood, plywood, veneers), the kind of hardware used (hand wrought iron or brass fittings, dovetailed or machine screws), the type of joints (dowels or mortise-and-tenon) and the style details (cabriole legs, beaded trim, floral carvings).
Comparing your furniture to images of known furniture designs will help you identify an approximate age.
Secondly, you can look for a manufacturer label or stamp that will provide you with the exact age of the furniture. Generally these are found on the bottom or back of the piece, and might include the name of the manufacturer, a maker’s mark or a serial number.
Finally, you can contact an appraiser or collector who specializes in furniture from that particular era. They will be able to provide you with more accurate and detailed information about the exact age of your furniture.
How can I tell how old a chest of drawers are?
It can be challenging to accurately determine the age of a chest of drawers since they don’t generally come with a label that indicates the age of the piece. However, there are several techniques that can be used to narrow down the age of a chest of drawers.
First, examine the style. Chests of drawers have been around for hundreds of years, but there are distinctive characteristics that can help you to determine the age of the piece. Chests of drawers from the 1700s typically feature volute and cabriole legs, baroque designs, intricate carvings, and often have a velour or silk lining.
Chests from the 1800s through the early 1900s are usually made from solid, dark wood and tend to feature simple lines and Victorian or Tudor styling, while mid-century designs feature sleek, minimalistic legs and clean lines.
You can also look for clues inside the chest. Manufacturers often leave behind identifying marks and tags, so check the interior and back of the piece. For example, many 18th and 19th century American chest of drawers feature a paper label that includes the name of the maker, the salesman’s name, and the name of the city where the chest of drawers was made.
Finally, it is important to keep in mind that to become an expert in furniture identification, you will likely need to learn how to recognize period hardware designs and makers’ marks. Pieces that have been reupholstered or refinished may also be difficult to accurately identify.
If you’re still unsure of the age of the chest of drawers, you may want to consider bringing in a furniture appraiser or someone with expertise in furniture identification.
Is there an app to identify antiques?
Yes, there are a few apps available that help you identify antiques. One of the most popular app is called iCollector Antiques and Collectibles. It is available for both iPhone and Android devices. This app offers a comprehensive database of antiques and collectible items that are organized by category.
It includes images and detailed information about each item, such as the maker, age, and any other relevant information. This app also has a community section that allows users to post their own antiques and receive opinions and appraisals from the community.
It can help you learn more about antiques and identify unknown items, and it offers an easy way to search through a wide variety of items. Additionally, there are other apps such as Collectify, which also provides extensive information about antiques and collectibles.
These kinds of apps are great resources for antique collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone looking to identify old items.
What is considered vintage furniture?
Vintage furniture is usually defined as furniture that was produced in the 1920s through the 1980s. It typically has a classic or antique look and feel, though it can range from the ornate and elaborate pieces of the 1920s to the sleek and stylish lines of the 1960s and 1970s.
Vintage furniture often has hand-crafted details that make it stand out from more recent pieces, such as hand-carved stiles and curves and hand-rubbed finishes. For those looking for an eclectic look, vintage furniture may also include chairs and tables from different decades and turning them into one cohesive design.
It’s also not uncommon for furniture to be refurbished and updated to include more modern touches such as metal accents or contrasting finishes.
What are chester drawers used for?
Chester drawers, also referred to as highboys, are typically used as bedroom dressers to store clothing and other items. These types of drawers typically feature two columns of drawers placed on either side of the top of the piece, with a “rolltop” section between the top and the drawers.
They typically measure between 36–72 inches in height, with a width of 24–44 inches. Their design dates back to the 18th century, when antique pieces of furniture like this were named after the city of Chester in England.
While they’re originally intended to store clothing, they can be used a variety of storage purposes. In modern design, they are used to store linens and towels, while other people use them to store craft supplies, toys, and other items.
They can also be paired with another piece of furniture or stand alone. Despite the variety of use, their tall profile is typically used for storage and makes for a great decorative piece.
What is the difference between a drawer and a dresser?
A drawer and a dresser are both pieces of furniture with the same basic function- to store items. However, a drawer is much smaller and typically accessible from the top or the front. A drawer is usually a shallow compartment meant to store items such as clothing, utensils, or documents.
It typically has two to eight drawers and is usually made of wood or plastic. In comparison to a dresser, which is typically much larger and taller, a drawer is relatively small and compact.
A dresser, on the other hand, is a much larger storage unit. It also has drawers, but there are usually more drawers than in a drawer. A dresser typically stands on its own legs, and is typically made from wood, such as pine, oak, or mahogany.
Some dressers also have shelves, and may also have a mirror attached. The traditional dresser is often wider than a drawer, and is taller than a standard drawer. dressers are most commonly used for clothes storage, although they can also be used for other household items, such as linens, books, or toys.
What’s another name for a Chester drawer?
Another common name for a Chester drawer is a blanket chest. This type of chest is useful for storing blankets, and other bulky items. The design of a Chester drawer is unique, as it has an elevated lid, sloping sides, and a bottom drawer to further store items.
It is typically a fairly large piece of furniture, often made with quality hardwoods, making it a timeless and lasting piece of furniture.
What are the different types of drawers?
The most common types of drawers are Base drawers, Full-extension drawers, Sash drawers, Jewelry drawers and Soft-close drawers.
Base drawers are the most common type of drawer and are typically attached to the bottom or sides of cabinetry and furniture. They typically offer basic storage and access with a manually sliding, non-locking mechanism.
Many base drawers may also come with a cut-out handle, allowing the user to easily pull the drawer open and shut.
Full-extension drawers are similar to base drawers in that they are attached to cabinetry and furniture. However, these drawers offer much more storage and access with a manually sliding, locking mechanism.
The full-extension feature allows the drawer to extend all the way out, providing easy access to the back of the drawer and the contents inside.
Sash drawers are drawers with a frame-like structure. These types of drawers are constructed from the top, sides and base of the drawer, and can be placed into chest drawers or hung from sliders. Sash drawers typically offer increased levels of storage with their high capacity design.
Jewelry drawers are usually small and sectioned with particular compartments. Jewelry drawers are typically used to store jewellery and accessories such as watches, necklaces, rings and earrings. These types of drawers can often come with a lock to secure their contents.
Soft-close drawers are specially designed to shut quietly and gently. These drawers open and close with a soft-closing mechanism, which is both helpful for minimising sound and preventing the drawer from slamming shut.
Soft-close drawers are becoming increasingly popular in modern homes.
What is a low dresser called?
A low dresser is a type of furniture typically used in bedrooms to store items such as towels, bedding, and clothing. It typically stands between knee and hip high and is designed with four to six drawers.
A low dresser may also refer to a lowboy, a type of chest of drawers in Colonial America with four drawers, two of which were usually larger and lower than the other two. In modern times, lowboy is sometimes used to refer to a low chest of drawers that sits directly on the floor.
Low dressers and lowboys can be used to add storage to a bedroom, as well as style to a room’s decor. They can come in a variety of colors and materials, such as wood veneers or solid wood, metal, and plastic.
Low dressers are a great way to keep a room organized and tidy.
What is a dresser with a mirror on top called?
A dresser with a mirror on top is usually referred to as a Vanity or Vanities. A Vanity is typically a piece of furniture that has a top surface designed to hold a mirror, ideal for the purpose of preparing oneself.
The design of a vanity usually has multiple drawers and a cabinet beneath the mirror. They often come in classic wood finishes or sleek, modern styles that showcase a variety of design elements. When used for daily grooming and beauty care, a vanity typically includes a make up seat, with or without arms, as well as a stool.
Many vanities also feature built-in storage to help keep your cosmetics, make up and beauty products neatly tucked away.
Why is it called chest of drawers?
A chest of drawers is a piece of furniture that consists of several drawers stacked one above the other. It is typically used to store clothing, bedding, jewelry, documents, and other small items. The term “chest of drawers” originates from the design of the piece, which looks like a tall chest with several small drawers along the front.
The drawers sandwich between two tall vertical panels to form the chest shape. This form was traditionally constructed from solid wood and continues to be a popular design in homes today.
What style is a highboy?
A highboy is an American term for a tall chest of drawers created during the colonial period of the United States. This style of chest is typically quite large and has four drawers that fit within one another with an open top.
The drawers may range from a few inches to several feet deep and the piece may stand anywhere between 3 1/2 – 5 feet in height. The term “highboy” refers to the exceptionally tall stature of the piece, as the “high” in the name suggests.
Highboys often feature either a wooden or marble top, with a variety of turned legs or cabriole legs. Typically, they are crafted of mahogany, oak, walnut or cherry and are most popularly found in classic colonial styles.
The tall chest was designed to store clothing and other items in the lower drawers. The open top was meant to display décor, such as photos, books or cards.
Highboys are classic antique pieces and are highly sought after by collectors. They are a timeless and classic piece of furniture that has been cherished for generations and is still a popular choice in modern home furnishings.