Silky Oak dresser

**pjt** · 14th February 2012, 12:01 AM

Hi all,

I picked this up at an auction nearly two years back, a project to do when I get a roundtoit, I found a roundtoit........

I found a page from a newspaper in one of the draws dated 1965 so I am guessing the age of the dresser to be that or earlier,

Structurally sound so not a lot of work needed, new draw runners and repair the draw btm edges, I thicknessed some hardwood strips to size, I made them wider than the original thickness of the draw sides for longer life, I machined a rebate and glued these onto the draw sides, Does this make them draw slips then?

I washed the dresser with a damp rag to remove the dust and grime then went over it with Howards restore a finish, while not a perfect refinish and the top faces don't have much of the original finish on it but for what it is it came up OK, all the existing knocks and dings are preserved this way.
Attachment 198393 Attachment 198394 Attachment 198395

I found a makers stamp but can't make out much more than an ouline, I think I can make out Sydney within the circle but not much else, also a signiture (maybe?) on both sides underneath
Attachment 198397 Attachment 198396

and the finished piece
Attachment 198398

Feel free to make comments...
I am thinking I will sell it so I'd be interested in what people think about value.

Pete

**IanW** · 23rd February 2012, 09:03 AM

Well done, Pete.

For its age, I would suggest much earlier than '65. The Art-Deco style is very much 1930s. It could have been made later, of course, but post WW2 furniture of this type tends to be much more utilitarian....

Cheers,

**pjt** · 23rd February 2012, 10:04 PM

Thanks Ian, I was only guessing at it's age based on the date on the page,
Do you know of a method to enhance the stamp?

Pete

**IanW** · 24th February 2012, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by pjt

Thanks Ian, I was only guessing at it's age based on the date on the page,
Do you know of a method to enhance the stamp?
Pete

Hi Pete - sorry, no idea at all, but I'm sure there must be ways. Try contacting the Qld museum. They may have a trick or two for rejuvenating faded inks. I don't think they have a big furniture conservation section, but they may be able to direct you to somewhere that does.

If you are really keen to pursue it, your local library might have some info on furniture manufacturers in Qld. assuming it was made locally, but it could just as easily have been made in Sydney or Melbourne, of course. Trawling newspapers or other sources that have furniture ads from the 30s is another long shot. With a lot of perseverance and a lot of luck you may spot something just like your piece, and it may even say what company made it.

I know next to nothing about Australian furniture makers, but there are forumites who do seem to know a bit - maybe one of them will come along soon and give you a good idea of what you have.....

Cheers,

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