Drexel "Biscayne" Walnut Mid-Century Gentleman's Chest & Vanity Cabinet

A combination gentleman's chest and dresser-vanity from Drexel Furniture's "Biscayne" line, circa late 1950s–early 1960s, built in walnut with an asymmetric stepped facade. Seven drawers surround a raised upper cabinet that opens to reveal a hinged vanity mirror, divided interior compartments, and door-mounted accessory trays — functional complexity well beyond a standard highboy. Drawer boxes are secondary oak throughout, joined with English dovetails. Original hardware includes solid brass bar pulls on turned brass posts and brass leg sabots on tapered walnut legs.

The piece carries two marks: a branded drawer stamp reading "by Drexel / REG. TRADE MARK" and a stenciled line identification, "2-482-2.755 / BISCAYNE." An electrical cord routed through the case indicates an original interior lighting feature within the vanity cabinet, now non-functional. The upper cabinet's removable divided compartments and fold-out trays let the vanity double as organized storage — a Drexel design signature for the mid-to-upper-market MCM bedroom market.

The vanity cabinet retains its hinged mirror, interior divided compartments, and both door-mounted accessory trays. Light bulb for the interior fixture is absent.

CONDITION

Good overall with age-appropriate wear. Finish wear to all drawer pulls, with visible loss to the brass plating. The interior lighting is untested and the electrical cord needs replacing; light bulb absent. Drawers operate on their dovetailed boxes and the vanity mechanism folds as intended.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 45 1/2" H × 45 1/4" W × 18" D
• Vanity Cabinet Interior: 19" H × 14" W × 4 3/4" D
• Primary Wood: Walnut
• Secondary Wood: Oak (drawer boxes)
• Joinery: English dovetail
• Hardware: Solid brass bar pulls, brass leg sabots (original)
• Maker: Drexel Furniture Co., Drexel, NC — "Biscayne" line
• Marks: Branded "by Drexel"; stenciled "2-482-2.755 / BISCAYNE"