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I've never seen anything like this - it may be home-made, possibly post-war. It

looks as though it's been varnished with polyeurghothane. Any ideas?

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It looks like a 1950s drinks cabinet. :-2

1920 writing bureau, ought to be beeswaxed if you strip it down and rewax it. I like it.

spot wrote: 1920 writing bureau, ought to be beeswaxed if you strip it down and rewax it. I like it.


Do you think it's been varnished? This is a popular way of spoiling old furniture,

not that this is particularly old.

Edit:

I'm not at all sure about this. I havent seen this odd design before, only that

reflected in '40s monstrosities with glazed doors. Not sure I want it, really.

Do you think it's worth £30?

It's different - unfortunately it's been varnished, you'd want the natural patina - that would've been pretty. I'd agree with @ 1920 perhaps a little earlier, home made. Did you buy this? Do you collect furniture like this? just curious.

Patsy

I'd have said not, just from the photo. They did gloss these things up back then.

Take out a drawer, have a look at the dovetailing along the sides. The front panel and the side will have meshing teeth to hold them together and it'll be internally pinned and glued. Are the teeth on the front panel far narrower than the slots they fit into, or is it like the shape of battlements on a castle - what I'd call "square toothed" if you ever used an oscilloscope. That latter means it was machine-cut, which I'd expect it to be, and puts it after 1860. I'd be very surprised if it were earlier than 1880 or later than 1940. The 1920s is when most things like that were being made.

edit: £30 is a snip if you have a use for it, of course. If it's just going to clutter a room without function then it's not for you - these things need to be useful as well as decorative.

Patsy Warnick wrote: It's different - unfortunately it's been varnished, you'd want the natural patina - that would've been pretty. I'd agree with @ 1920 perhaps a little earlier, home made.


I'll have to have a look at the thing.

Patsy Warnick wrote: Did you buy this? Do you collect furniture like this? just curious.

Patsy


I didn't buy it, but have been offered it for fifty quid, which IMO is too much. I

don't collect furniture like this, but wondered whether I could pass it on.

spot wrote: I'd have said not, just from the photo. They did gloss these things up back then.


This looks rather thick and clumsy - perhaps the 'photo doesn't help, or the finger

marks.

spot wrote: Take out a drawer, have a look at the dovetailing along the sides. The front panel and the side will have meshing teeth to hold them together and it'll be internally pinned and glued. Are the teeth on the front panel far narrower than the slots they fit into, or is it like the shape of battlements on a castle - what I'd call "square toothed" if you ever used an oscilloscope. That latter means it was machine-cut, which I'd expect it to be, and puts it after 1860. I'd be very surprised if it were earlier than 1880 or later than 1940. The 1920s is when most things like that were being made.


Thanks, I'm just about au fait with dovetails (and have seen an oscilloscope,

but a long time ago!)

spot wrote: edit: £30 is a snip if you have a use for it, of course. If it's just going to clutter a room without function then it's not for you - these things need to be useful as well as decorative.


I'll have to see it, then. Not sure it's my thing, but it may be someone's!

I had to take another look at it. I don't understand the top - it curves - looks like a piece of plywood - perhaps that's why it was varnished. Side cabinets look like kitchen cabinets . Looks awkward. I'd pass on purchasing - somethings not right.

Patsy

I Agree with Patsy something not right about it. Front leg are different then the back legs, looks like the back ones came off at one time, or the other way around not sure. But it is FUNKY looking in a cool way. If you like it buy it, maybe get the price down a bit. Good luck..

spot wrote: 1920 writing bureau, ought to be beeswaxed if you strip it down and rewax it. I like it.
Just wanted to say I LOVE your 'tag' line!:wah: