Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Miniature Salesman's Sample Victorian Bureau Chest, American, circa 1890

$1,295
£978.86
€1,124.88
CA$1,803.28
A$2,006.07
CHF 1,051.61
MX$24,513.74
NOK 13,390.93
SEK 12,605.71
DKK 8,396.83
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This late 19th century miniature 3-drawer dresser with original mirror mounted above, was likely used as a salesman's sample by an itinerant sales person who traveled the countryside promoting his articles, usually by seeking out merchants to take orders based on this scaled down miniature bureau, or by leaving it on display in a merchant's establishment to take orders from that merchant's customers. This American bureau is made of oakwood, circa 1890, and is in very good and sound condition, both structurally and aesthetically. It appears to have been painted at some time, but is now in it's original wood surface. There are remnants of white paint to the interior drawer sides and to the rear edge of the bureau. The drawer fronts have their original white enamel "pulls"; the interior drawers are of of pine. A child has at some time, obviously, "decorated" the drawer bottoms with a type of colored crayon (see images). Note the original crazed silvering to the mirror mounted in place, atop the 3 drawers of the bureau. There is a candle stand on each side of the mirror frame, resting on a bracket. Scalloped trim to the bottom of three "showing" sides, along with a nice chamfered edge to the top, is a nice fancy "touch" and compliments the decoration, along with a shaped and scalloped mirror frame mount. All in all, this is a difficult to find, charming miniature version, almost identical in shape, design, and scale to a full sized example of a 3 drawer mirror top bureau; highly sought after cross collectible, attracting the interest of salesman sample collectors, toy collectors, doll collectors and those expanding a collection of Folk Art and Americana. Dimensions: 19" high x 13 5/8" wide x 8" deep.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 13.63 in (34.63 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
  • Style:
    Victorian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1890
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973222349162

More From This Seller

View All
Japanese Miniature Tansu Work or Sewing Chest (Haribako) Taisho Era Circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
Circa 1920 (Taisho period) this Japanese sewing work box is made of highly figured mulberry wood and of the most beautiful grain and fine quality workm...
Category

Vintage 1920s Japanese Taisho Antiquities

Materials

Elm

19th Century Federal Drop Leaf Table. American, circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nicely proportioned and well made early 19th century American mahogany drop leaf table with no restorations and in completely origina...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Late 18th Century Fine Quality Louis XV French Work Table, Circa 1775
Located in Incline Village, NV
Attractive and well made tulip wood on oak with copious kingwood parquetry and marquetry veneered surface; this late 18th century Louis XV french work table had multiple uses; as a s...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Victorian Mahogany Vanity or Shaving Table Top Swivel Mirror. English Circa 1865
Located in Incline Village, NV
Unique Victorian table top (cheval type) swivel mirror, that would have been on top of a dresser and used by a lady as a vanity mirror to tend to her "make up" and hair; or by a gent...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Table Mirrors

Materials

Mahogany

Paul Sormani French Dressing Table Amboyna Veneer (Rare). Circa 1870
By Paul Sormani
Located in Incline Village, NV
Paul Sormani (1817-1877) designed and was the maker of this superb quality small dressing table; from his Paris workshop at 10 R. Charlot Park (this was his second workshop---opened in 1867). The attention to detail and intricate design, in addition to selection and application of premium materials and resources are typical of Sormani dedication to excellence, as was recognized by many of his contemporaries during several mid-century Parisean exhibitions. Brass inlaid Fleur de Lis medallion decorates the center; surrounded by beautiful and rare burl Amboyna veneer wood from Indonesia. The surface is bordered by a bold brass application to the serpentine perimeter. A satinwood inlaid border decoration to the surface further enhances the decor. The highly figured veneer design of the surface is further on display to the rectangular 4" skirt support above four elegant cabriole legs with full length linear bold inlaid and applied brass accoutrements to the corners; top to bottom; ending in bronze mounted feet. The special interior is accessed by lifting the top up connected by a pair of decorated and embossed rear hinges; revealing a full surface mirror back and a fitted storage sections with a sliding tray for personal particulars; jewelry, papers, make up, sewing implements, or valuables as may be kept private by locking mechanism which bears the signature and street address of "Paul Sormani, 10 R. Charlot Park". The condition of the table is original, sturdy, and well made with no replacements. Surfaces have a mellow patina displaying warm, age related hues. A small rectangular section to the top surface measuring 2" x 3 1/2", just off the left and front of the center medallion is present. It does not look like a replacement because the grain transcends the section matching perfectly. It simply looks like an early restoration of some kind; possibly done contemporaneously with the manufacture of the table and possibly at the workshop of Sormani Maison because it is done so well. Please note the close up image (#3) of this repair. The base of the interior underneath (see image) is fastened with butterfly wood...
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Side Tables

Materials

Amboyna

Tunbridge Box Still Bank, circa 1870s
By Tunbridge Ware
Located in Incline Village, NV
This Tunbridge box still bank is indigenous to the Tunbridge ware cottage industries of the town of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England in the 18th and 19th c...
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

Miniature Victorian Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very unique Victorian era hand made miniature chest that resembles a larger Victorian lock side chest with the two small pieces on the side that flip...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Dressing Chest in the Manner of Gillows
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn2637, superb quality and very attractive, Victorian, mahogany dressing chest of drawers in the manners of Gillows, having shaped mirror enclosed by fluted and carved uprights, figu...
Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Victorian Dresser or Hall Stand Antique Storage Furniture Hand Carved Americana
Located in Rochester, NY
This hand crafted antique is in absolutely immaculate vintage condition. It’s not to be believed. This dresser is an antique from the Victorian era, and stands at 7 feet tall. This s...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Commodes and Chests of ...

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Miniature Chest, circa 1850
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
Charming miniature chest of drawers in original patina, circa 1850.
Category

Antique 19th Century Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Folky Chest of Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
Charming and full of character, this early 20th-century American chest of drawers showcases a playful folk art sensibility, blending rustic craftsmanship with whimsical design. The e...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Desktop Specimen Case, English, Miniature Chest of Drawers, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique desktop specimen case. An English, mahogany and brass miniature chest of drawers in Art Nouveau taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Beautiful...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Desk Sets

Materials

Wood