Hello, I just bought this beautiful set from an antique store in Quebec. It has a double bed, a man's drawer, a women's drawer with 'square' miror, a side table, and a 'maquilleuse'(like a little desk with 3 drawers on each side and a place to sit (and put make up) in the middle) with rond miror. I am supposing, the little bench that came with the 'maquilleuse' is not related to this set (the legs are much more detailed, but it fits in well) My terminology might not be right for I not too good in english. The design is VERY sober. No wood color variations, no wood carving. The wood is dark colored, The front of each desk is slightly rounded. Desks have no metallic handles.The handles are within te drawers. The 'square' miror has rounded corners. The head of the bed is simply a perfect rectangle. The stamp on the back of one miror is 'MALCOLM & SOUTER , HAMILTON ONT'. No beaver logo, just black letters.
I was told that it is 'Art nouveau'.
I have read a bit about Malcolm and Souter, mostly on this forum. I know they have been in operation between 1884 and 1952, but I would like to get a more precise date of when it was built. Anyone has a clue?
Ca va bien and bienvenue -- it's great to see other Canadians on the A&C Forum! Perhaps you could post images of your furniture -- this might help members to answer your question.
Best Regards,
Copperoak
Posts: 214 | Location: Western Canada | Registered: 12-15-07
The lady's desk. It has a 'square miror that is not installed on this picture'. It was so humid that I am letting the furniture take some air and settle before cleaning and installing it. Some of the drawers are stuck...
The little side table (table de chevet). Yes, there is some bruises, pieces of wood that have fallen off. Propably, my next post will be about restoration!!! Once I know what I have between my hands.
The stamp en the back on the "square" miror. Notice also the rounded corners of the miror. I also found a number 268 behind many of the pieces. Maybe if I had an old catalog...
Finally the little intruder chair! This one, came with the set, but it is not the original chair. No stamps of some sort, the bench has been remade. Ply wood under looks pretty new!
Definately Art Deco, 1930's bet it was spectacular when it was new. It doesnt age well because of the laminates coming loose or breaking off. The laminate burl look on the dressers is very nice.
Thank you all. Indeed I am not in the right forum with this one. Guess I will have to find a forum as great as yours but in another period. That's gonna be hard! Thank you for your kindness! Yes the laminate is damaged, but very little in fact. Some of the pieces are in the drawers and could be repaired. Minus that, it is a beauty! The funny thing is that under the laminate, it's beautiful solid hardwood (not presswood!)
If you still have some info to share, I'll keep posted.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but quality pieces would often use veneer. We have been programed to think (at least I had) that veneer meant cheap construction but in fact veneer would be used to maximize the beauty of the grain in a way that wouldn't be possible in any other way. And the under wood would also be of high quality which would explain the beautiful solid hardwood that you see underneath.
Posts: 23 | Location: Los Angeles, California | Registered: 07-05-09
It is indeed art deco from the 1920s to the early 30s. It has the rounded, moderné, streamlined design popularized and rooted in French art deco. This popularity then came to the United States. Soon architecture, and industrial design (like cars to locomotives) were influenced by the streamlined "wind cutting" shape that could be seen in as early as an period Citroen car. As to veneer, the use of wood veneer goes way back. From simple quartersawn oak to bird's eye maple, rosewood, any kind of exotic wood that would accentuate the design and decoration. As long as the construction is solid, and the basewood is good solid hardwood. Just beware of cheap underlying wood. Particle board etc. But remember, early American furniture from the 1700s were painted. A William and Mary piece may have had paint. An old original Windsor chair was painted. But now, many pieces have been cleaned and stripped over the years. Too bad.
Posts: 71 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 05-02-08
Pfiou! And I thought I was crazy to crave on this veneer! Yes, you should see all the veining patterns of the wood, their symetry from the middle of each piece. It has some charm. Makes me feel good to hear Tim and Dave saying that veneer is not that bad! Also, I started removing and cleaning the drawers and I was surprised to notice two things:
No1 Drawers are assembled with the 'tenon et mortaise' technique. Don't know how to call that in english... No nails!
No2 Usually, when you remove the top drawer you can reach the inside of the second drawer and so on. Not here! There is a wooden 'cloison' between all the drawers, like a floor/roof. Some drawers are still stuck in place. This set was stored for I don't know how many years in an old humid barn. I was hoping to be able to push some drawers out by removing the ones I can and working from the inside. Well, can't do that!!! No access!
I'm thinking abot using a hair dryer to help the wood dry out a bit. Weather is not helping, been raining every day for almost two weeks...
Was not my intention to blast veneers, some beautiful veneer work is evident in many pieces of finely crafted furniture. As always it is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to these things. I hope no offense was taken.
