Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/12/2005

Question
I recently refinished an oak highboy. The handles are original.  Do you have any idea of the time period or Country of origin?  I enjoy refinishing and may of taken away from the value, but I enjoy the beauty of the piece. The drawers have dowel pins joining the piece in the drawers. I have not seen this type of dovetailing before.Handles are stamped brass. Drawers have wood keyhole covers. The top back splash has thick machined overlays. I bought it at a garage sale, and the owners thought it was about 80 years old.  

Answer
Hi Cindy
Congratulations on your refinishing job.
Cindy I hear on a daily basis people worrying about taking away the value by refinishing.
Yes..this can be true for "Some" pieces of fine old furniture, but in all my years of refinishing I have refused to refinish exactly 2 pieces the owners brought to be done...only because I suspected I could take away from their value...and only suspected because I am no expert in antiques.
So don't worry about that. You like the piece, enjoyed doing it, and are happy with the results, so its obvious you will enjoy this piece in your home for many years to come.
The time period of this dresser is fairly easy to pinpoint because of the joinery.
This type of joinery was designed by a man named Knapp.
And used between 1871 and 1900.
So now you know that a piece of furniture with those odd little drawer joints was made between 1871 and 1900 without a doubt.
This will have been made in North America.
If this is really oak, and not ash (which some people can confuse with oak), you really lucked out at the garage sale.
Hope this helps
Keep up the good work
Eileen