1810-1837 Empire Dresser

It felt as though the other pieces in the shop stopped breathing. They were poised in acknowledgement as I carried this "fine old gentleman" in the front door. This is a piece that even gets me all twitterpated!  

Consistent with the skills of the Empire era, it's all hand made--from the flat stock on the dresser's backside including the screws and nails that hold it together and in place, to it's joints, screw and dowel holes. It's unquestionably the real deal! We're going to use some "old world" refinishing skills and techniques here. It's about historical appreciation and the preservation of INTEGRITY!

When I'm in a customer's home being introduced to a piece, usually in order to offer an estimate for its repair or refinish, I generally don't get to really SEE IT. So, developing a realistic and factual relationship with the piece is the first thing I do when it comes to the shop. I get to carefully inspect it. It's an event much like going to the doctor's office for the yearly check-up. So, I start talking to it, getting to know it personally. Hopefully it marks the beginning a pleasant conversation and a lasting friendship. 

This wise old man is quick to carry his side ... of our conversation, and he's got some really fun stories to tell about the past 192 years!

Straight slots and those horizontal lines are from the artisan's plane

To start, all the drawers are signed with the craftsman's scrawled initials. Then, on the back of the dresser I found what I suspect is the location of the shop in Milwaukee where it was made (below--and yes it's hard to read).

J. Teedeman's, 15704  Reed Street, Milwaukee

 Check out the screws (above the signature pic). Yes, they are the same diameter, but you can see irregularity in the placement of their hand-made "straight slots."

The hat pin has slid back and forth...follow the ball

Finally, here's a really unexpected find! Yes, it's a black hat pin (above) lodged in the cabinet's upper left corner at the back of the top drawer's frame and slide. It's understandably rusty and you can see it has moved back and forth--see the friction marks against the outside wall of the dresser--but there it is....and my client doesn't use hat pins! So, how long do you suppose it has it been there? Fun, huh.

Ok. There are more stories to tell and pictures to see, but we'll save them for another blog. So you better keep listening....because it's Wood Talkin for today!