Hi, I recently bought this walnut desk and plan on refinishing. I haven't been able to find any information about the desk's maker. There is a serial number but searches haven't resulted in much. I was wondering if anyone could help me identify the maker of the desk.
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Your desk resembles a Doten-Dunton Executive Desk from the 1920s.
I have not seen any with sold prices for ages (maybe one of the other posters can find sold example) but they used to command in the thousands in antique shops and at auction. The last sale I can find is a totally different type of the same brand that sold in 2017 for $250.00--and since it is not apples to apples that value is not valid for your example.
This may be your desk--www.doten-dunton.com/
I want to say they only had paper stickers, but I am not 100% positive--so I am thinking you only have the remnants of a sticker left here.
Let us know if you are able to confirm the pedigree!
Thanks for sharing this beauty!! Normally I say refinish and have fun...but you may significantly devalue the piece if you are not a professional refinisher....if you are a professional, go for it!
Look inside one of the drawers, under and behind the piece for a manufacturer marking. If you dont have one, its going to be hard to identify the piece.
Examine carefully if there are nails and what shape they are. Round nails were not used until about 1900, before 1900 they were square cut.
Inspect how the parts of the drawers are connected. If the connections are "pin and cove", then your table is made in the U.S. or Canada after 1870, if dovetail joints are machine made, such as www.harpgallery.com/.../machIMG_7338.JPG, then in 1900's or later.
Thanks for all the responses! I have had a little bit of time to examine it a little closer and found a date stamped on one of the drawers. It was dated April 21, 1942. The previous owner has already refinished it once, so I am not to worried about hurting the value. I plan on using a tung oil instead of a polyurethane like the previous honor had used this time around though.
Glad to hear you located more info. Have fun with the project and be sure to post an after photo!!
I believe this mark is from Standard Furniture CO, from NY.
herkimer.nygenweb.net/
There are a number of teachers desks like this as examples under this brand. It is lovely! Thanks again for sharing.
Your desk looks similar to the Doten-Dunton Executive Desk, but all desks made by the Doten-Dunton desk company have Doten-Dunton's marks:
Antique Doten-Dunton Executive Desk circa 1920s was sold for $ 1,985 www.chairish.com/
Vintage Solid Walnut Executive Desk by Doten-Dunton was sold for $ 1,800 www.chairish.com/
Doten-Dunton Executive desk made in the early to mid-1900's has the price $ 400 www.nextechclassifieds.com/
Mahogany Desk, Doten & Duten Desk Co, 1940-1960 on sale for $ 1,200 www.ebay.com/
Without the manufacturer's mark, it is impossible to tell who made your desk. I found a Vintage Large Office Desk, With Pull Out Writing Surface, Dovetail Drawers, 30" H x 5" L x 34" W that looks a lot like your desk bid.auctionbymayo.com/
Since you have not found the Doten-Dunton mark, then I doubt that your desk was made by the Doten-Dunton desk company. The price of a non-branded table is not high.
The only marking besides the date I have been able to find is this sticker on the inside drawer. Very hard to make out the maker. Thanks for your response.
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