How to identify old dresser hardware
Old dresser hardware can help identify age and originality, but it should not be read alone. Pulls, locks, escutcheons, hinges, screw holes, shadows, and drawer construction work together.
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Start by checking whether the hardware fits the drawer, matches the wear pattern, uses consistent screws, and leaves shadows or extra holes that suggest replacement.
Auction records are market evidence, not a final appraisal. Condition, authenticity, provenance, size, completeness, repairs, logistics, and demand can materially change value.
Identification checklist
- Photograph every pull, knob, escutcheon, lock, keyhole, hinge, screw, and hardware shadow.
- Show the inside of drawers, drawer sides, bottoms, dovetails, backboards, and replaced wood.
- Note mismatched pulls, plugged holes, bright new screws, missing locks, and finish differences.
- Keep removed hardware, keys, and old screws with the dresser.
What changes the answer
- Original hardware can support age and completeness when construction agrees.
- Replacement pulls are common and do not automatically ruin value, but they affect interpretation.
- High-quality commodes, period dressers, and maker-attributed pieces need closer hardware review.
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