Eastlake Style Victorian Tiger Oak Vanity with Harp Mirror
Unbranded (likely American Furniture Manufacturer) · Furniture > Dressers & Vanities
Era / Decade
Late 1890s to early 1910s (Late Victorian/Edwardian Era)
Material
Solid Quarter-Sawn Oak (Tiger Oak) with brass hardware and beveled glass mirror.
Condition
Good to Fair. The piece shows significant surface wear, including water rings on the top surface. One secondary drawer is slightly misaligned/protruding. Original casters remain. Needs refinishing to reach full value.
Demand Level
Moderate to Niche. Heavy antique furniture has a smaller buyer base currently, but Tiger Oak remains the most collectible variant for Victorian enthusiasts.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
$250 - $450 (As-is) / $650 - $900 (Restored)
Estimated Retail Value
$1,800 - $2,500 (Comparable new artisan solid oak furniture)
Comparable Sales
Similar quarter-sawn oak vanities with mirrors recently sold for $300-$500 on Facebook Marketplace in the Midwest. Refinished versions in antique galleries can reach $850+.
Description
Antique Victorian-era Tiger Oak dresser featuring a pivoting harp-style mirror with ornate scrolling crest. The base includes two small top drawers over two full-width drawers, all with original brass bail pulls and escutcheons. The wood displays a beautiful quarter-sawn grain pattern characteristic of high-quality turn-of-the-century American craftsmanship. Includes original wooden casters.
Key Features
Highly desirable Quarter-Sawn Tiger Oak grain; original ornate harp mirror; Eastlake-style carving; original hardware; solid wood construction.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity Confidence: High. Construction shows hand-cut or early machine-cut dovetails, wood-slat drawer bottoms, and period-correct phillips-free hardware. The patina on the brass and the specific wear patterns on the casters are consistent with 100+ year old furniture.
Flaws to Note
Visible water stains and finish loss on the top surface; minor wood separation in the lower drawer; silvering degradation (ghosting) likely present on the antique mirror glass; light scratches throughout.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for local pickup to avoid high shipping costs; Etsy for local-pickup-only vintage sellers; High-end antique mall booth.
Selling Tips
Use keywords like 'Tiger Oak', 'Quarter Sawn', 'Victorian Harp Mirror', and 'Antique Dresser'. Clean with wood soap and apply a high-quality beeswax or feed-n-wax to improve the look of the dry finish before photographing. Highlight the dovetail joints in photos to prove quality.