Antique Toy / Doll Mini Wood Dresser / Vanity / Sideboard / Buffet With Mirror

[bchohn]

I think the most interesting thing about this piece is what can be seen on the bottom of the top drawer. It appears that a cigar box was used in the construction. Does this make it "homemade" or is this something that was produced in quantity as a salesman sample? Could this be a repair? Here is what is stamped on the bottom:

FACT. NO. 7, 23rd. DIST. OF PENN.

NOTICE: The Manufacturers of the Cigars herein
contained have complied with all the requirements
of law. Every person is cautioned not to use either
this box for Cigars again, or the Stamp thereon
again, not to remove the Contents of the Box with-
out destroying said Stamp, under the penalties
provided by law in such cases.

FATORY No. 7
23rd Dist. of Pa.

You can see from the pictures I provide that the misspelling of Factory is intentional. It was spelled FATORY on the box. Also an interesting fact. Please have a look at the pictures and let me know if you can help me identify what it is, where it was made and what it might be worth. It measures 15" tall including mirror, 6" deep and 10" wide. I would also be interested in knowing more about the cigar box if anyone knows.


Thanks for your help.

 

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[NHBandit]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

I think the fact that it's made from cigar boxes would indicate that it's probably hand made. Maybe by someone with alot of time on their hands like a sailor or possibly a convict. Very nicely done and a cool piece of folk art worth a few bucks if my guess is correct. Good score.

 

[DCMatt]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

Neet item! I'm guessing it is a homemade jewelry box made from cigar boxes.

For what it is worth, here what I found.

Here is a reference from a 1902 Penn Dept. of Public Instruction book:

"In the 23rd District composed of the city of Allegheny and all the Townships and boroughs lying North of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers in the county of Allegheny William A. Stone has been duly elected."

I also found a reference to Cherin's Panatelas (cigars) made in Broad Ford, Pa with a "23rd dist of Pa" stamp on the box. Broad Ford is in what was defined as the 23rd district in the 1902 book.

BTW - Most people don't know that Pennsylvania was once famous for cigar making. The word "stogie" is short for Conestoga. Wagons were built in the Conestoga Valley near Lancaster, Pa. That's also where they made the now infamous "cheap cigars" purportedly purchased and smoked by wagon drivers.

DCMatt

 

[stefen]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

In my opinion, the wood appears to be too thick to be made from a cigar box. Typical cigar boxes are only about 1/8 inch thick...

The dresser looks like it might be Oak or a hand-rubbed Pine finish...cigar box wood is usually a cheaper wood (maybe Alder) covered with paper...

However, the drawer bottom may have been replaced at some time in the past.

 

[Lucas]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

Style is Eastlake. Nice folk art piece.

 

[stefen]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

Again, in my opinion, this is a cabinet shop piece (and possibly, a production item) and not a one-off...folk art...

In the time period when it was made, (late 1800's to early 1900's) few people owned quality wood working tools...planes and hand routers were obviously used...

Look at the construction techniques employed, and you will find cabinetry joinery that was only produced by a well-skilled craftsman, who had access to woodworking tools and was quite adept to the craft.

I would suspect that it was meant to be a childs toy or as DCMATT said, a jewlery box...

Since we, as viewers, must rely on the quality and variety of your pictures...and not having the opportunity to taste, feel, smell and otherwise, visually review the dresser in person...I would highly recommend getting a local Antique Dealer's opinion of the dresser to age-date and provide other valuable background.

 

[Lucas]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

In that time period, few people owned quality wood working tools...

This dresser is the same era as tramp art, and cigar box art in general. Also the Sears Catalogue era, and the treadle jigsaw-craft era.

I don't think you would see a cigar box stamp on a production or cabinet shop piece.

Do a Google image search for Eastlake dresser, and you will see the grownup version.

 

[stefen]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

I don't think you would see a cigar box stamp on a production or cabinet shop piece.

I agree with your statement...but I qualified my position by stating;
"However, the drawer bottom may have been replaced at some time in the past".

As it happens I have a portable stainless steel roll-a-round tool service table which the drawer bottom broke due to overloading...the temporary replacement repair was a peice of corregated cardboard...it happened to be handy...

I think that is what happened to the drawer...it broke for whatever reason and was replaced by a cigar box because it was the right size, thickness and happened to be handy...
Also if you look you will see that the stamped letters are cut off...

This definitely is not tramp or folk art...

 

[stefen]

Re: Antique Toy Wood Dresser With Mirror

Do a Google image search for Eastlake dresser, and you will see the grownup version.

Look for the childs version under "Eastlake Doll Furniture" and you will find a variety of mini-furnishings such as beds, dressers, chairs, tables, and the like...

Here is a similar mini-dresser http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-vintage-doll-chest-a-drawer-vanity

 

[Lucas]

OK I am convinced. You'll note that I never said it was tramp art, only that it is the same vintage.

I see a nice sewing stand in the background of one of the pics...