Identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
The piece is explicitly marked with the Lane Altavista stamp and a commemorative '1912 Silver Jubilee Chest 1937' plaque. The serial number 737040 confirms the exact manufacturing date of April 7, 1937 (read backwards per Lane's dating system).
Story
Manufactured by Lane Furniture in Altavista, Virginia, on April 7, 1937. This 'Silver Jubilee' model was produced specifically to commemorate the company's 25th anniversary (1912-1937) and featured an ambitious 'Contemporary Modern' mix of exotic veneers over a standard cedar core. The secondary market for vintage Lane cedar chests is robust but highly bifurcated by condition. Pristine or professionally restored Art Deco waterfall chests reliably trade between $700 and $1,000 through retail dealers and curated platforms.
Maker / Origin
Lane Furniture
Condition & Value
The chest is in poor cosmetic condition, categorized strictly as a restoration project. Severe veneer loss and peeling are visible on the top and front panels.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for vintage Lane cedar chests is robust but highly bifurcated by condition. Pristine or professionally restored Art Deco waterfall chests reliably trade between $700 and $1,000 through retail dealers and curated platforms. However, examples requiring structural or veneer repair—especially those utilizing difficult-to-source exotic woods—plunge to nominal values as the cost of professional restoration far exceeds the final retail ceiling.
▲ Exact 1937 Silver Jubilee commemorative plaque confirms rare model status
▲ Intact cedar core retains functional storage utility regardless of exterior wear
▲ Original maker's marks and serial numbers are highly legible
▼ Severe exotic veneer loss caps the current value at project-grade pricing
▼ Cost of professional veneer restoration likely exceeds the $800-$1,000 peak market ceiling
▼ Unverified lock status — missing or original (recalled) locks can deter buyers or require replacement
Best Venue
List locally 'as-is' on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist targeted at hobbyists or furniture restorers. Highlight the rare 'Silver Jubilee' commemorative plaque and intact cedar core to attract Lane collectors. Do not attempt amateur repairs or strip the remaining veneer, as the existing wood serves as a necessary template for any future restoration.
Upside Potential
If a buyer possesses the specialized veneering skills to restore the exterior themselves without incurring professional labor costs, the piece could theoretically reach the $700-$900 retail tier characteristic of pristine 1930s Lane Art Deco chests.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.