Cherished and valued since the age of thirteen is this late Victorian oak Art Nouveau mirror back side board.
The top section has heavy moulded cornice with carved decoration plus carved piece on top decor. Corinthian columns, with two smaller side mirrors. The base has two half width drawers over central single drawer, with a single door directly beneath, flanked by two doors with carved panels.
Inherited from my Gran I estimated late 1800's on looking at detail I am not sure of the wood, however very similar carving research found "Antique Victorian Sideboard, Carved Oak, Mirror Back Buffet, Scotland 1890" this is not oak!
Sideboard has traveled into every home I have lived, currently in my own 'office space', needs repairs if I ever find a competent person in woodwork.
My niece has accepted the offer of now enjoying it once she is in the new home she is currently looking forward to moving into, her daughter will then inherit from her being an antiques fan. (This is for the benefit of @dandays make sure it stays in the family!)
Promise made was it would continue down the bloodline of woman, I have no daughters I am sure my niece will have many years of happiness inviting this piece into her home with hidden drawers and false panels.... never show, it is for her to find.
This I have never had valued, no price could be paid to equal the love of my Scottish ancestor grandmother, it's not for sale.
Oh you know it. I wrote it down about 15 minutes ago thanks to you. It's written.
That's a gorgeous piece of furniture too. I can remember my grandmother having one so similar.
My niece will cherish this as much as I have, then one day pass to her daughter, by then I will be long gone, so good to know it will be loved.
Has anyone told you how cool you are today?
Windswept 😁
I wish, now this is for your eyes only....
What a great piece of furniture! Ornate but also useful too.
I have some furniture that has been in my family for over a hundred years and then some. It'll get passed on of course, as with yours. I think it's good to preserve that history.
Grandparents must have purchased this with pride not being very well off, it may have been second hand already back then.
Sheer beauty in manufacture, I had been thinking who in the family for about ten years would inherit, made contact with a niece about two months ago, now happy it has a planned new home.
It's often a relief to determine who may receive heirlooms. I'm glad you have it sorted out.
Oh that is but one item, still have to get to some more... I just thought it neat that my Gran's wishes were that it remains with the girls, girls normally those years seldom inherited anything at all.
These days I think many heirloom items are not seen as desirable; people want new and flashy stuff...There's people out there that respect tradition though, I hope anyway.
Many reach their forties then realize the modern is not what it is cracked up to be, slowly see many start eyeing out the old folks furniture 😄 solid wood in great design!
I agree. There's nothing quite like seeing the craftsmanship that goes into older furniture: The doweling, dove-tailing and effort that goes into making things square and flush and so on. The quality is difficult to go past for those who know what to look for. But alas, most don't care.