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Dressers & Vanities - General

Originally called "toilet tables," vanities and dressers were first used in 18th century France as storage for wealthy women’s cosmetics. These pre-plumbing vanities usually included a shallow basin so women could wipe off their makeup. During Victorian-era England, these vanities were known as dressing tables and became commonplace in the bedrooms of several classes. It was around this time that some vanities did away with the mirror and added drawers for clothing.

Vanities and dressers are usually constructed from wood; oak, walnut, and mahogany are popular choices. As with other furniture, designs have changed through the centuries. Queen Anne dressers and vanities from the 1700s, for example, often feature s-curved cabriole legs, hand-carved knees, and claw-and-ball feet. In America, the designs were simpler and the Chippendale was the most popular.

During the early 20th century, Art Deco prevailed in both Europe and America, bringing with it luxurious and glamorous dressing tables. Femme fatales in the Hollywood films of the 1920s and 1930s were often depicted sitting regally at their elegant vanity or dressing table.


Quick Facts

  • Before the 1700s, portable cosmetic boxes acted as vanities
  • An Edwardian mahogany vanity table from the early 20th century sold at Christie's New York in September 2008 for $6,250
  • A William and Mary mahogany and cedar dressing table, 1715-1725, sold at Christie's New York in January 2011 for $482, 500

Recommended Items at Auction

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Tramp Art / Folk Art Match Stick Dresser
May 17, 10:00 AM MST
Tramp Art / Folk Art Match Stick Dresser
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$204 Bids
Vintage Colonial Influenced Pine Chest Of Drawers
May 17, 10:00 AM MST
Vintage Colonial Influenced Pine Chest Of Drawers
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
Vintage Colonial Influenced Pine Dresser & Mirror
May 17, 10:00 AM MST
Vintage Colonial Influenced Pine Dresser & Mirror
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
♢ Empire style dresser
May 16, 2:30 PM CEST
♢ Empire style dresser
by San Luca Casa d'Aste
Est: €150- €300
€601 Bid
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Mid-Century Dresser with Mirror** H 32” W53” D19”
May 20, 6:00 PM EDT
Mid-Century Dresser with Mirror** H 32” W53” D19”
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
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1920s Mahogany Vanity** H 32” W 40” D 17”
May 20, 6:00 PM EDT
1920s Mahogany Vanity** H 32” W 40” D 17”
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid
A 20th century veneer wood with marquetry inlay dressing table
Jun 04, 10:00 AM CEST
A 20th century veneer wood with marquetry inlay dressing table
by Ostantix Auctions
Est: €150- €200
€1200 Bids
Pair of Mid Century Modern Dressers
May 17, 12:00 PM EDT
Pair of Mid Century Modern Dressers
by Public Sale Auction House
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
(2) ANGLO-INDIAN STYLE SILVERED METAL-CLAD DRESSING TABLE & STOOL
May 18, 10:00 AM CDT
(2) ANGLO-INDIAN STYLE SILVERED METAL-CLAD DRESSING TABLE & STOOL
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$5000 Bids
Chippendale Style Chest of Drawers Dresser
May 17, 12:00 PM EDT
Chippendale Style Chest of Drawers Dresser
by Public Sale Auction House
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
GEORGIAN STYLE KITCHEN DRESSER BASE
May 16, 10:00 AM CDT
GEORGIAN STYLE KITCHEN DRESSER BASE
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $800- $1,200
$6000 Bids
Early Beadboard front 4drw dresser
May 24, 9:00 AM EDT
Early Beadboard front 4drw dresser
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Quartersawn Oak Highboy Dresser with mirror
May 24, 9:00 AM EDT
Quartersawn Oak Highboy Dresser with mirror
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
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Early Serpentine Front Oak 4 Drawer Dresser
May 31, 11:00 AM EDT
Early Serpentine Front Oak 4 Drawer Dresser
by La Belle Epoque Auction House
Est: $300- $400
$1500 Bids
Tramp Art Match Stick Electrified Vanity
May 17, 10:00 AM CDT
Tramp Art Match Stick Electrified Vanity
by Link Auction Galleries
Est: $175- $225
$750 Bids
Vanity unit in ash wood with circular mirror and glass top
May 20, 2:00 PM CEST
Vanity unit in ash wood with circular mirror and glass top
by Bolli & Romiti s.r.l
Est: €800- €1,200
€8000 Bids
Victorian-style dressing table, accompanied by washbasin, carafe and soap dish, mid-20th century
May 27, 6:00 PM EEST
Victorian-style dressing table, accompanied by washbasin, carafe and soap dish, mid-20th century
by A10 by Artmark
Est: €0- €0
€3000 Bids
Quartersawn Oak Queen Anne style Powder Vanity w/ mirror
May 24, 9:00 AM EDT
Quartersawn Oak Queen Anne style Powder Vanity w/ mirror
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$50 Bids
Mid-Century Modern Style Walnut Double Dresser, 21st c., H.- 36 in., W.- 72 in., D.- 20 in.
May 17, 10:00 AM CDT
Mid-Century Modern Style Walnut Double Dresser, 21st c., H.- 36 in., W.- 72 in., D.- 20 in.
by Crescent City Auction Gallery
Est: $500- $800
$4000 Bids
Australian cedar dressing table with swing mirror and five drawers
May 23, 11:00 AM AEST
Australian cedar dressing table with swing mirror and five drawers
by Because Auctions
Est: AUD300- AUD600
AUD2600 Bids
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Vintage Marble Vanity Top with Backsplash
May 17, 9:00 AM CDT
Vintage Marble Vanity Top with Backsplash
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$150 Bids
Sherle Wagner Vanity on a French Iron Base
May 21, 10:00 AM CDT
Sherle Wagner Vanity on a French Iron Base
by New Orleans Auction Galleries
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$7000 Bids
Vict Mahog Dressing Table
May 17, 11:00 AM AEST
Vict Mahog Dressing Table
by Tuckerbox Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD200 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Dressers & Vanities - General


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Adam Partridge Auctioneers

Adam Partridge Auctioneers

Regency Auction House

Regency Auction House

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Atlee Raber Auctioneer