What style dresser?

[Lillian Dunbar]

I've been told this 46" wide, 15' deep and 33" tall Bassett dresser is Federal by one antique "expert", "Duncan Phyfe" by another, "Empire" by another, and also mid-century modern. Now I am totally confused. It's construction is really heavy, thick wood, the main part had a few scuffs and minor, spotty water marks near the bottom, but is it solid and the drawers are in excellent condition. The mirror (33 x 35") is also in really good condition. My parents paid about $200 for it at auction in the mid-1970s (that would be over $800 in today's money). What is the style and what WOULD be a fair price to ask in today's market?

[LB Laub]

Hi Lillian,

It's a dresser in the Federal style, but a modern revival of it. Since it was made by Bassett Furniture, you're probably looking at c.1950s-70 judging by the design of the label and the fresh look of the secondary wood. I have a china cabinet that is similar in style and era and I paid $200 for it about 5 years ago. Unfortunately, there are some condition issues to the finish of the dresser and in today's market they are a common find, so that will affect value.