I bought this dresser from an amateur antiques collector living in Spotsylvania County named Suzanne Holt (about age 70, Mormon) in May 2023 for $150. She did not know any history of the piece.
It is in good shape for its age with expected damage, but the joinery is unique. The backs of the drawer backs are machine dovetailed into the sides, but the front exposed parts are a decorative dowel type joinery that is particularly nice.
Sydney helped me pick up and move the dresser into the house.
Known Repairs
Eastlake Gentleman’s Dresser with Mirror had been refinished before I got it. The pulls are not original. The refinished had put silver Eastlake pulls on the dresser that seemed out of place, so Suzanne replaced them with modern pulls in brushed brass. At least one nail is not correctly attached to the rails and the mirror back has had a brace replaced. At least one of the larger drawers is broken in the back. One small drawer has a large chunk missing.
Style
Eastlake, about 1895
The Eastlake movement is named after designer Charles Eastlake who pioneered the style. Eastlake furniture featured “geometric ornaments, spindles, low relief carvings, and incised lines [that] were designed to be affordable and easy to clean” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastlake_movement).
Measures 39” wide, 18” deep, 73” tall.
