Vanity tables have been at the heart of a ladies’ (and man’s) bedroom or dressing room for centuries. Able to add a touch of flair to any room whilst also serving a practical purpose, a vintage or antique vanity table can be both a great statement and storage option for almost any room.
Vanity tables have been called many names over the years including; commode, duchess, lowboy, dressing table, poudreuse and more. Over the centuries this item of furniture has seen huge changes in history, style, social attitudes, and has a vibrant and exciting history to match the many faces that have sat before it.
Fast forward to the 20th century and the vanity table became a status of womanhood, of glamour, and of luxury with Hollywood Starlets such as Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, and Marylin Monroe all being pictured or featured at a vanity table on the big screen.
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What to Look for When Purchasing Vintage Vanity Tables
When purchasing a vintage or antique vanity table there are a few tips or tricks you can use to make sure you pick out a quality piece.
- Has the piece retained its original finish or ‘patina’ or has it been repolished? (Depending on what you’re looking for in your vanity table this can be a positive or a negative)
- If viewing the piece in person, look underneath it and check its back, make sure the joints are tight. If the seller you’re buying from online has taken good quality photos then you can also gauge the status of the piece pretty well.
- Check for signs of woodworm, such as the tell tale signs these pests leave behind. If you’re viewing the piece in person and dust comes out of the holes (or you notice dust around the holes in the photo) then the piece currently has an active woodworm infestation – don’t let this completely put you off though, as woodworm can be treated; just bare it in mind.
- Check if the piece is what’s known as a ‘marriage’ as you’ll want to avoid this if you’re looking for an authentic antique. A marriage is a term used in the antique business for two parts from different pieces or eras that have been put together to create one whole piece. This isn’t always a bad thing as some great marriages can be made between pieces, but if you’re looking for the genuine article you want to be wary.
- Do you spot plywood? Plywood shouldn’t appear in any genuine antique as it was created after 1920. Plywood in any antique piece can indicate shoddy restoration work.
- Look for Dovetailing. Dovetailing is a way that joints in furniture used to be held together before easier and cheaper manufacturing options. Some quality furniture still uses dovetailing today, but in regards to antique and vintage pieces it’s a great indicator of a quality piece.
I) Antique Vanity Tables
1. Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Dressing Table
Material: Wood; inlaid mahogany
Features: Large swing mirror, two jewelry drawers, square tapered legs with casters
Price: $565
This mahogany dressing table with simple inlay is set on casters for easy transportation and dates from the Edwardian Era (1901-14)
2. Antique Walnut Dressing Table
Material: Wood; walnut
Features: Three large drawers, two smaller jewelry drawers, with art nouveau influences.
Price: $395
This walnut dressing table dates from 1910 and features a combination of influences from the era such as art nouveau and art deco.
3. Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Mahogany
Features: Four good-sized drawers, matching mahogany knobs, large central mirror
Price: $825
This table dates from the Victorian era and features a large mirror surrounded by ornate woodwork.
4. Antique Satin Walnut Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Walnut
Features: Central tilt-mirror plus two smaller foldaway mirrors, three large drawers and one small jewelry drawer.
Price: $395
This satin walnut vanity table dates from the early 1920’s and features three mirrors, two of which fold outwards.
5. Antique Chest Of Drawers
Material: Wood; Walnut
Features: Three oval mirrors, two of which are foldable, art nouveau carving, gold-toned drawer pulls.
Price: $380
This stunning art nouveau vanity has three good-sized oval mirrors framed with delicate carved woodwork and has three large drawers.
II) 1920s Vanity Tables
1. Beautiful Antique 1920s Dressing Table
Material: Painted Wood
Features: Large mirror with powder-blue and white paintwork and gold-tone drawer pulls.
Price: $320
This powder-blue dressing table is iconic of the late 1920’s, and features influences of art deco style plus two large and two small drawers.
2. Antique Walnut Art Deco Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Walnut veneer
Features: Large tri-folding mirror, seven drawers, plus ample desk space.
Price: $320
This is a fine example of art deco furniture which was so iconic in the 1920’s. The contrasting shaped drawer pulls add to the unique charm of this piece.
3. Art Deco 1920s C W Burnes Hand Painted Dressing Table
Material: Wood (unknown type)
Features: Compact with curved edges and stylised art deco carving with an oval mirror and glass top.
Price: $280
This art deco dressing table was created by manufacturers C W Burnes and was intended for use on ocean liners, hence its convenient and compact design.
4. English Art Deco Sycamore Dressing Table by Vesper
Material: Sycamore veneer, rosewood veneer, chrome plate work
Features: A very large mirror with two smaller fold-out sections, warm toned sycamore wood veneer with delicate rosewood inlay.
Price: $1370
This stunning statement piece features all the simplicity yet grandeur of the art deco era.
5. Art Deco Dressing Table
Material: Birds eye maple and walnut veneer
Features: Circular mirror, two shelves, and three curved drawers
Price: $1100
This unique art deco vanity features a stylised round mirror and elegant curved drawers.
III) 1930s Vanity Tables
1. Oak Barley Twist Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Oak
Features: Barley twist wood detailing, oval spin mirror, blue paintwork
Price: $450
This powder-blue dressing table is iconic of the late 1920’s, and features influences of art deco style plus two large and two small drawers.
2. Vintage Dressing Table
Material: Painted wood
Features: Original 1930’s mirror with carving and delicate floral motif
Price: $340
This stand out piece is painted in classic 1930’s style and has clear chinese influence and an attractive floral motif.
3. Art Deco Walnut Dressing Table
Material: Walnut
Features: Large rectangular tiltable mirror, inverted pyramid legs.
Price: $820
Originally intended for gentlemen, this art deco dressing table has perfect unisex charm and iconic art deco detailing.
4. Art Deco Burl Wood Mirror Dressing Table & Pouf
Material: Wood; Burl, plus padded ottoman
Features: Comes with matching ottoman, tall mirror with rounded top, and two spacious drawers.
Price: $570
This art deco burl wood dressing table comes with a matching ottoman and was produced in the mid-to-late 1930’s.
5. Italian Dressing Table
Material: Marble and steel
Features: Small hexagonal mirror, fold out stands, spacious countertop.
Price: $1450
This italian table is crafted from dark gray marble and metal and features simple details concurrent with the art deco era.
IV) 1940s Vanity Tables
1. 1940s Oak Dressing Table with Linen Fold Detail
Material: Wood; Oak
Features: Rectangular mirror with bevelled top, large desk space, four drawers with ring-pull handles.
Price: $230
This stately vanity table embodies the austere practicality of the war years while still having touches of hand crafted style.
2. Antique 1940s Dressing Table
Material: Wood; painted
Features: Large organically shaped mirror with small carving details and two spacious drawers.
Price: $250
This 1940’s dressing table has been sympathetically upcycled and still retains many unique features such as its organically shaped mirror.
3. 1940s Burr Walnut Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Burr walnut
Features: Large tri-mirror with claw foot legs and five spacious drawers with ring-pull handles.
Price: $395
This vanity table features simple but elegant details that hark back to the Victorian era; most notably its claw foot legs.
4. Art Deco Oak Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Oak
Features: Built under the UK governments utility furniture scheme this piece includes a large tall mirror and three drawers.
Price: $880
This quirky piece can be used as both a dressing table or a hall-stand and is perfect for those looking for multifunctional furniture.
5. Vintage Art Deco 1940’s Dressing Table
Material: Painted wood
Features: Six drawers, unique carved wooden handles, subtle carved scrollwork.
Price: $394
This small dressing table has been sympathetically upcycled and features a charming soft gray chalk paint finish that serves to highlight the uniquely carved drawer pulls.
V) 1950s Vanity Tables
1. Beautility Art Deco 1950’s Dressing Table
Material: Wood; walnut veneer
Features: Large organically shaped mirror with multiple drawers with ornate metal drawer knobs.
Price: $538
This dressing table features curved lines that echo the previous art deco era, its organically shaped mirror echoes the art nouveau movement for a seamless fusion of styles.
2. Upcycled Mid-century Dressing Table and Mirror
Material: Wood; veneer
Features: Large tri-fold mirror, spindle legs, six large drawers with gold-toned drawer handles
Price: $566
This 1950’’s vanity unit has been sympathetically upcycled and incorporates a blush pink accent color prevalent in this era.
3. Beautiful Meredew Dressing table and Stool
Material: Wood; oak/teak
Features: Comes with matching stool, removable three-sided mirror, seven drawers with wooden knobs
Price: $358
This dressing table was created by popular mid century modern manufacturers Meredew and features two tones of wood and stylish wooden drawer handles. It comes with a matching stool which tucks perfectly under the unit.
4. Dressing Table and Mirror, Art Deco Style
Material: Painted wood
Features: Large tilting mirror, two large drawers, hand stencilling, spindle legs
Price: $566
This vanity table has been sympathetically restored with hand-stencilled floral motifs and includes a large tilting mirror.
5. Vintage Dutch Oval Dressing Table from Auping
Material: Metal, tin
Features: Oval mirror, fold out drawers, black detailing.
Price: $797
This table dates from 1950-9 and has clear influences of the sputnik/space race era with it’s minimalist design and clean lines.
VI) 1960s Vanity Tables
1. G Plan Dressing Table Desk
Material: Wood; Walnut
Features: Striking black and exposed veneer design, gold-toned drawer pulls and feet.
Price: $716
This striking G Plan desk has been sympathetically restored with bold black paintwork. Without a mirror this piece works perfectly as a desk, but add a mirror and a stand-out vanity can be created.
2. Retro Dressing Table with Mirror
Material: Wood; teak
Features: Teak dressing table with hexagonal mirror, spindle legs, and black accents.
Price: $251
This dressing table features a large hexagonal mirror and dainty spindle legs. This piece has been sympathetically upcycled to include striking black accents.
3. Stunning Mid Century Dressing Table and Mirror
Material: Wood; teak
Features: Tiger-stripe wood veneer, tapered legs, brass feet and handles, large curved mirror
Price: $344
This midcentury modern vanity unit has large spacious drawers and is constructed from teak with a striking tiger-stripe wood veneer.
4. Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Vanity Table
Material: Wood; Teak
Features: Minimalist angular design with rotating rectangular mirror and two drawers
Price: $1016
This minimalist vanity table is Danish and dates from 1959 and is in its original unrestored form
5. 1960’s Retro G Plan/EGomme Oak Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Oak
Features: Long rectangular mirror, tapered legs, multiple drawers, exposed storage space
Price: $274
This G Plan-style dressing table features straight tapering legs which compliment the angular drawer handles and long rectangular mirror.
VII) Retro Vanity Tables
1. Vintage 1970s Bamboo Dressing Table and Triple Mirror
Material: Bamboo and bent cane
Features: Triple-folding mirror, intricate bamboo and cane work, two drawers
Price: $315
This bohemian-inspired dressing table features a rustic tri fold mirror and would suit a space with natural textures and materials.
2. Mid Century Vintage Teak Cantata Dressing Table
Material: Wood; Teak
Features: Mid Century modern reproduction style, matching stool, and tri folding rectangular mirror.
Price: $358
While you may be fooled into thinking this piece is from the 50’s or 60’s it is actually a well-produced reproduction piece from the 1980’s which oozes the charm and style of the previous decades.
3. Space Age Vanity Desk with Mirror & Pouf, 1970s
Material: Metal and Wood
Features: Complete set of vanity, mirror, and pouf, strong minimalist features including angular rectangular vanity unit.
Price: $567
Inspired by the space race, this Italian futuristic and modernist vanity, mirror, and pouf set wouldn’t be amiss in a modern catalogue, despite having been manufactured nearly 50 years ago.
4. Midcentury Modern Brass Dressing Table with Side Tables
Material: Brass
Features: Two side tables, golden brass construction with glass counter tops, single curve-topped mirror.
Price: $479
Believed to have been manufactured in France in the early 1970’s, this vanity unit with side tables is styled after the Hollywood Regency movement.
5. Bamboo and Wicker Dressing Table Set with Mirror and Stool
Material: Cane, wicker, bamboo, rattan
Features: Includes matching chair and features intricate bamboo and rattan work, with a tri-folding mirror
Price: $466
This vanity unit set dates from the 1980’s and perfectly captures the bohemian style of the late 70’s and early 80’s.
VIII) Vanity Table Mirrors
1. Large Antique Georgian Style, Freestanding Mirror
Material: Wood
Features: Tri-folding free standing mirror in Georgian style dating from the 1930’s.
Price: $251
This Georgian-style free standing mirror features three panels with metal finials on top of the two smaller mirrors.
2. Vintage Dressing Table Mirror
Material: Wood
Features: Serpentine fronted George III dressing table mirror, free standing, with three drawers.
Price: $710
This antique free standing mirror dates from the late 1700’s and is in George III style.
3. Antique Late Georgian Mahogany Swing Mirror
Material: Wood; Mahogany Veneer
Features: A landscape mirror housed in an arched, veneered mahogany frame, inlaid and topped with a turned finial.
Price: $380
This free-standing swing-mirror dates from 1820-30, and features three drawers, one with a lock.
4. Antique 1930 Beveled Barbola Mirror Table Top
Material: Wood, metal, plaster, plaster of paris
Features: Barbola style plaster work in floral rose design, oval mirror in freestanding frame.
Price: $285
5. Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Dressing Table Mirror 1895
Material: Silver
Features: Victorian heart-shaped silver mirror, free standing picture frame format, intricate filigree work.
Price: $1250
This stunning piece of Victoriana is made from sterling silver and features ornate botanical designs that echo William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement.
IX) Vanity Table Stools
1. Fluffy Arkana Style Tulip Stool
Material: Plastic, Faux-fur
Features: Plastic pedestal stool with faux fur padded top
Price: $170
This stool has an iconic design, similar to the Arkana stool by Maurice Burke and dates from the later 60’s to early 70’s
2. Vintage Original 50s Fluffy Dressing Table Stool
Material: Fabric and hardwood
Features: Fluffy-seated stool with atomic-style legs which can be screwed on and off for easy disassembly.
Price: $258
This stool dates from the 50’s and would make the perfect accompaniment to mid century modern pieces thanks to its stylised atomic legs.
3. Mid-century Greaves & Thomas Teak Dressing Table Chair with Velvet Seat
Material: Teak and velvet
Features: Mid century modern teak chat with back and reupholstered velvet seat.
Price: $193
This chair was manufactured by Greaves & Thomas and has been sympathetically reupholstered in patterned velvet.
4. 1960s Rattan Lounge Chair
Material: Plastic rattan and metal frame
Features: Heart-shaped rattan scrolls on a satellite shape with metal legs
Price: $280
This plastic rattan chair features adorable heart shapes with contrasting black metal legs and would look amazing paired with a cushion or two.
5. Antique Edwardian bentwood Hall/bedroom stool
Material: Wood, fabric
Features: Elegant slender legs and bentwood slatted sides, re-upholstered cream brocade fabric
Price: sold
This Edwardian stool is a multifunctional piece which would be perfect for use with a vanity table or use as an occasional/hall chair
X) Vanity Table Accessories
1. Antique Uranium Glass Dressing Table Vanity Set
Material: Uranium glass
Features: Six piece vanity set made from uranium glass. Consists of: One tray, Two candle holders, Two pots with lids, One trinket dish
Price: $143
This uranium glass vanity set dates from the 20’s to 30’s and thanks to its vivid green color is sure to be a stand out piece on any vanity unit.
2. Antique Edwardian 1900s Solid Silver Hairbrush
Material: Silver, hogs hair bristles
Features: Solid silver handled hog’s hair brush decorated repousse style with Daffodils and Foliage.
Price: $107
This stunning silver brush makes the perfect decoration for a vanity and was designed by London silversmith William Comyns & Sons in the art nouveau style.
3. Antique Vanity Dish, Jewelry Round Tray with Double Swan Handles
Material: Metal; pewter
Features: Two handles in the form of swans surrounding a round dish
Price: $117
This antique vanity dish is a practical and stylish piece which could be used for storing jewelery or make up items.
4. Antique Dressing Table Perfume Set – Cranberry set of 8 pieces
Material: Glass
Features: A set of 8 pieces of cranberry color glass. 3 bottles from large to small, 1 jar with lid, 1 penny bottle, 1 glass, 1 rectangular, 1 circular
Price: $282
This set of 8 pieces was created in the 1930’s and includes practical items such as a ring dish and perfume bottles.
5. A Set of Vintage & Antique Perfume Bottles
Material: Glass, silver
Features: Five glass perfume bottles. Antique Silver rim hallmark crystal cut bottle with stopper, antique Silver screw top cut glass bottle, vintage Small Chanel bottle with dabber, large Vintage Chanel bottle, Cut glass bottle with crystal stopper.
Price: $107
This set of 8 pieces was created in the 1930’s and includes practical items such as a ring dish and perfume bottles.
Antique vs Vintage
When purchasing antique or vintage furniture it’s useful to know the difference between the two terms; as these are often used incorrectly. On a simplistic level, an antique can be defined as an item that is over 100 years old.
Defining a vintage item is a little more tricky. Vintage can include any item made in the last 100 years but that is at least 20 years old. In order for a piece to be considered vintage it should embody the era when it was produced or raise feelings of nostalgia; of course these feelings vary for everyone which is why the term vintage is used far more broadly than antique.
Final Thoughts
A vanity table can add a touch of glitz and glamour to any room and can be styled to suit any theme or space. View our top picks listed above, as well as our top tips to buying, as a starting point for your own journey to find the perfect piece for you.
References
https://styylish.com/dressing-table-history/
https://www.bassettfurniture.com/blog/furniture-style-guide.aspx
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/property/2016/03/25/how-to-tell-furniture-antique/
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/age-defining-an-130615
