Taliesin' Mahogany Dresser / Sideboard by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1955, Signed

This refinished Honduran Mahogany 'Taliesin' dresser / sideboard was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage-Henredon in 1955 and produced only for two years, therefore is now a highly sought-after and rare collectors item. This example is signed with the Heritage-Henredon by Frank Lloyd Wright engraved signature in one drawer and signature mark on rear, along with stamped numbers on rear edge (as seen in photos).

This rare Frank Lloyd Wright dresser, which also works excellent as a sideboard or credenza cabinet, features eleven drawers: three lower deep drawers, three middle moderate height drawers and five shallow drawers on top of varying sizes, all standing on a signature Taliesin Nakashima-style base.

Frank Lloyd Wright stated that one of his goals for this line was for the 'design to make the home more efficient as well as more beautiful'. Woven into each piece of this series was the chamfered wood edge with an abstracted Greek key motif, the signature detail of every Taliesin design, covering the edges of each item in the collection. All of the pieces were executed in Honduran Mahogany, a high-end luxury wood choice.

His idea was to design ‘infinite adaptability to American living’, for example desks could double as dressing tables, small tables could be used as a chair or stool and bookcases had moveable tops transforming into room dividers. Decoration was limited to the greek key edges so that ‘is of the piece, not on it’ and the removal of elimination of any hardware door or drawer pulls in favor of cut out flush pulls which ‘catch light and shadow for interesting and changing patterns’.

Wright pitched three separate concepts to Heritage Henredon: ‘Burberry’, ‘Honeycomb’ and ‘Four Square’ which was the one chosen to go into production and renamed ‘Taliesin’ after Wrights Wisconsin home. A distinguishing feature of the Taliesin line is that each piece is identified with a branded signature which was often accompanied by a red square. No other items from the rest of Wright's career is marked or identified which makes this line more desirable to collectors.

This beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright Taleisin Sideboard would work great in a Craftsman, Farm House, Monterey, Spanish, Mission, Arts & Crafts, Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as a dresser, credenza, entry room cabinet or any other case piece for your storage needs.

MEASUREMENTS:

H 28" x W 61.5" x D 20"

CONDITION:

Refinished and ready for immediate use. Prior to refinishing, this dresser had veneer loss and heavy scratches which required repairs, some veneer replacement including parts of the edging and was refinished in a darker tone which helps to blend the repairs to be less noticeable. Overall this dresser presents very well as it was refinished and has a very nice finish to it. The prior age, use and restoration is noticeable upon close inspection.