A number could indicate the style, the maker, or even a patent granted to the company. The furniture back. Some manufacturers used less expensive wood on the back of a bureau, and they placed the label there, where it wouldnt damage the finish.

What does a dovetail joint look like?

Noted for its resistance to being pulled apart (tensile strength), the dovetail joint is commonly used to join the sides of a drawer to the front. A series of pins cut to extend from the end of one board interlock with a series of tails cut into the end of another board. The pins and tails have a trapezoidal shape.