You are here:
- Home
- Style
- Antiques
- Collectibles-General (Antiques)
- Northern Furniture Company Dresser
Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Northern Furniture Company Dresser
Advertisement
Question
Hello Ms. Cronk,
I recently acquired a dresser made by the Northern Furniture Company in Sheboygan WI. The logo appears to also include an R, which I assume means that the piece was made after the company was sold to Reiss in 1916, but before the name change to RWAY in 1949. Granted, I am far from an antiue expert, so this is just a guess... The piece has some large scratches and the yellowish enamel finish is severely worn or non-existent in places. The wood is solid and seems in good condition otherwise. I would like to refinish the piece, but I am concerned about a few things: 1. Are these pieces very collectible/valuable? 2. will refinishing it devalue it? 3. What is the best way to preserve the value but at least clean it up if I shouldn't refinish it?
I hope you can help. It is a beautiful piece, with carved detail on the feet and brass caps on the ends of the feet, lovely dove-tail construction on the drawers, great, just terribly banged up.
Thanks,
Hillary
Hi Hilary
Nice to hear from you
I think your guess is a good one, but thats only my guess LOL.
That aside, My personal opinion of this is that in its current condition, you will not in any way devalue this piece by fixing it.
I recently did a bit of reading about this company, and they apparently were fine craftsmen who turned out quality furniture as many companys of the time were.
I do not think this furniture is any more collectable than any other, and in the condition you describe, its not worth a great deal.
Your third question I cannot answer without knowing if this "yellowish enamel finish" you describe is paint..sounds like it to me but I have to know for sure.
Also is the finish original.
Would you get back to me please.
Regards
Eileen
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Ms. Cronk, Thank you so much for your response! I hadn't expected to hear back so quickly! You were incredibly helpful. I do think that the finish is paint with a high shine coating over it...polyurethane?? And the finish does appear to be original, just badly cracked and peeling. I appreciate your advice/suggestions regarding the piece, and I very much look forward to giving it a face-lift. When I get some before and after shots taken, perhaps I could send them along to you! Thanks for your help. Kind Regards, Hillary | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
- Michael Andrew Wilson
- robert klein
- Fred Taylor
- Rodger Knutson
- Eileen Cronk
- Bill & Jan Berning
- Irene Schwall
- Barbara K. Acchino
- Rex Ransome
- Larry Bieza
- Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson
- DARWIN D. BEARLEY
- Chad Boekelheide
- The Wicker WomanŽ-Cathryn Peters
- David Burritt
- Bob Wiley
- Marc A. Hess
- Tom Novitski
- Marvin D. Miller
- Robert Barnes
- Frederic Rozier
- G Zimmerman
- Jack Freund
- Russell Barnes
- Dennis Wolbach
- David Silver
Eileen Cronk
Expertise
I can answer most questions about the repairing and refinishing of all your old furniture items (the things we call antiques). I can also give you advice on what wood items to choose and what wood items to avoid at auctions, flea markets etc. I DO NOT give appraisals on antiques as this is not my field of expertise.
Experience
I have been repairing, refinishing and of course buying old furniture for the past 30 years. On any given weekend I can be found at auction sales or flea markets searching out a good buy. I have taken several courses in this area over the years, but I find "Hands On" learning to be the best teacher. I can help you avoid the pitfalls and problems of this wonderful rewarding craft.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.