What do we have here?

I acquired another cool old gem last night. The history I know is that it was a piece in a bedroom set. Apparently, this comes from Virginia or Vermont...not sure...I can't quite remember. It was a part of an estate that was moved across the country to my neck of the woods in Seattle. Can anyone give me any guesses about the markings, or what time period it came from? Thanks!

 

Hi and WELCOME to the Forums, Melissa!!! Looks like your cat thinks it's already found a new home!!!! And the piece first hit me as a 'closet' for shoes, but I suppose it could or could have handled a multitude of items (sweaters?)!! 1950's to '60's???? SO not sure on the age....nice clean lines to it though!! @verybrad's the better furniture guru!!! He'll probably drop in eventually!!

*EDIT:* KNEW I was way off on dating your piece.....hope Brad checks in soon!!!!!!

 

Welcome, nice cat!

 

Thanks. The Armoire was thoroughly inspected and as far as I can tell...has met with feline approval.

 

Oh shoes! That must be why I fell in love with it. LOL I am a shoe fanatic! Yes, as soon as I opened the door the cat jumped in and inspected every nook and cranny of it. LOL Cats!

 

Id say its 1920s or so,give or take a few years,mass produced.Very nice looking and useful,you could stack a lot of t-shirts and sweaters in there.

 

Welcome to our forum Melissa!!!

It does my heart good to see someone in your age group buying & loving vintage furniture. We see so many young people buying Ikea pressed board crap & paying more than they would for something made from solid wood that has lasted for years. Not to mention the old stuff has a lot more character than that other stuff.

 

Thanks. I've always liked antiques. My house is full of them. I prefer pieces with "character" over refinished items or the "shabby chic" that seems to be popular these days. I think the nicks and dings tell a story about its history.

 

Hi, Melissa, and welcome!

Here's a bit about the start of the Marstall Furniture Company:
http://hendersonkyhistory.com/MarstallFurniture.htm

...and a bit about its demise:
http://archive.courierpress.com/new...urniture-company-ep-446987721-324903651.html/

p.s. My cat Stoli says he thinks he's in love! What's your gray kitty's name?

 

Thank you! Another Russian Blue in the world. My cat's name is Mackie. I rescued her from her suicide attempt in front of an on coming Mack truck during my evening commute when she was about a year old. She was a horribly abused mess with a huge gash on her head and she looked close to dead. I nursed her back to health and now she has zero interest in what lies beyond the confines of my house, but is the master inspector of any foreign objects that I drag in. Lately, she has been quite busy inspecting my treasures.

 

Good for you, rescuing her! All of mine are rescues, too. (Stoli was a breeder reject, because his eyes weren't green enough...)

 

Anything that looks like brackets up in these areas?


What is supporting the shelves?
With the mirror on the front, I think armoire that someone may have added the shelving to. The second shelf looks like a new piece of plywood was used.

Wait for Brad's opinion.

 

This looks like a piece you might find in VA. Not over decorated, rather stoic in nature. Looks like Walnut on the front.
Patd

 

I love it. Before I saw the shelves, I thought I'd find Narnia on the other side

 

Stoli is beautiful the way he is, never mind the rules invented by humans.
I used to have a Siamese tabby whose eyes weren't blue enough, and the tabby pattern on her face was blotchy. Her eyes were the colour of lavender buds, which I thought lovely. Her face matched her personality, funny, lively, and a bit crazy. An owner of a couple of prim and proper Siamese cats once came in and said to her in disdain "aren't you ugly". Some people....

 

1920s walnut wardrobe. Do think the shelving was added. The birdseye maple on the inside of the door is a nice touch. Looks like it was made in KY and sold in VA.