AN OAK DRESSER - CHARLES II OAK GATELEG TABLE - CHARLES II WALNUT CHEST - 17TH CENTURY WALNUT TABLE - WILLIAM AND MARY OAK GATE-LEG TABLE

AN OAK DRESSER, the later rack with a moulded
cornice above an ogee-cut frieze with three shelves, the
base with three panelled frieze drawers, on ringed turned
front legs joined by stretchers, 6ft. 7lhin. high by 6ft. 2′/zin.
wide (202cm. by 189cm.).

Two SIMILAR CHARLES II WALNUT SIDE CHAIRS,
the toprails carved with flowerheads with spirally-
turned supports, with caned backs and seats and
spirally turned legs and stretchers, second half 11 th Century,
restored.

A CHARLES II OAK GATELEG TABLE
with a moulded edge, a frieze drawer and eight twist-turned
legs joined by square stretchers, 2ft. 5in. by 4ft. open (74cm. by 122cm.)
the base circa 1680, the top 19th Century.

A CHARLES II OAK SIDE CHAIR, the arched pierced
toprail above a solid central splat carved with S-scrolls
and foliage, the solid seat on ringed legs joined by
stretchers.

A CHARLES II WALNUT CHEST, the rectangular
moulded top above a band of dentil moulding, the frieze
with two short moulded drawers centred by a moulded-
front small drawer, with one deep and two shallow
drawers below, outlined with applied geometric mouldings,
on bun feet, 3ft. 3′Ain. high by 3ft. 2in. wide (100cm. by
97cm.) circa 1680.

AN UNUSUAL CHARLES II OAK CHEST, the hinged
lid above a dummy drawer and with three drawers below
of equal depth, each section carved at the front and the
sides with geometric strapwork or scale pattern and
divided by horizontal mouldings, 2ft. lVhin. high by 2ft. 7in.
wide (90cm. by 79cm.) circa 1680, with later applied silvered
metal mounts.

A WILLIAM AND MARY WALNUT AND OAK CHEST,
with two short and two long drawers and panelled sides
and back, 2ft. lOin. high by 2ft. lOin. wide (86cm. by 86cm.)
late 17th Century.

A LATE 17TH CENTURY WALNUT TABLE, the rec-tangular three-plank
top with end cleats, the frieze with an end drawer, on turned legs
joined at the square section by a moulded H-shaped stretcher, 2ft.
high by 4ft. 5lhin. wide (78cm. by 136cm.) circa 1700.

AN OAK CHEST of four long geometrically panelled
drawers each with two panels, on bun feet, 2ft. 9in.
high by 2ft. (84cm. by 88cm.) third quarter
17th Century, top drawer replacee.

A WILLIAM AND MARY BEECHWOOD WING ARM-
CHAIR, with rectangular back, straight-sided wings, the
padded arms and cushioned seat on S-scroll supports
joined by turned stretchers and with a scroll front
stretcher, circa 1690, with restoration.

AN UNUSUAL SMALL WILLIAM AND MARY OAK
DROP-LEAF TABLE, the rectangular top with one flap and
raised on six slender legs joined by moulded stretchers,
with turned feet, 2ft.high by 2ft. 4in. wide (64cm. by
71cm.) circa 1690.

A GOOD WILLIAM AND MARY YEW-WOOD TABLE
with a moulded top, the frieze with a simple moulding
and a drawer, raised on spiral-twist legs joined by a plain
stretcher, 2ft. high by 2ft. 7in. wide (76cm. by 79cm.) circa
1690.

A WILLIAM AND MARY OAK TABLE
with moulded top, the frieze with an ogee moulding
along the front and a drawer, with a central applied
carved panel, spiral-twist legs with waved X-stretchers
and bun feet, 2ft. ?’Mn. high by 3ft. 4in. wide (82cm. by 102cm.) circa 1690.

A PAIR OF UNUSUAL WlLLIAM AND MARY OAK CHAIRS,
each back with a pierced strapwork toprail above a
splat also pierced with strapwork, the solid moulded seats on
turned front legs with spiral-twist front stretchers and piain
back legs and stretchers, circa 1690.

A GOOD WILLIAM AND MARY OAK GATE-LEG TABLE
with an oval top, a frieze drawer and raised on eight legs with
tapering turned centre sections, piain stretchers and knurled feet,
2ft. 4in. high by 3ft. 9in. long by 4ft. bin. open (71cm. by 114cm. by 135cm.) circa 1690.

A WILLIAM AND MARY OAK TRIPOD STAND, the
moulded octagonal top on baluster stem with hexagonal
base and three scroll legs, 2ft. 8in. high by Ift. 2lhin. wide
(81cm. by 37cm.) circa 1680.

ANOTHER also with an octagonal top, raised on a
spiral-twist stem and baluster base, on three flat scroll
feet, 2ft. 9in. high by lft. Vhin. wide (84cm. by 34cm.)
circa 1680y part of one foot replaced, top with three added
supports.

A GOOD SET OF FTVE CHARLES II OAK NORTH COUNTRY
CHAIRS, each with a piain solid semi-circular toprail
above a semi-circular arch, the moulded seat with turned
front legs and stretcher and piain back legs and stretchers,
circa 1660, one with part of toprail replaced, squab
cusbions.

A GOOD CHARLES II CHEST OF DRAWERS
in oak with walnut-veneered front and in two parts,
the front with four long drawers each divided into a pair
of geo¬metrie panels and the second drawer with a pair of
fielded octagons flanking an applied panel with an arch,
on bracket feet, 3ft. 3in. high by 3ft. 8in. wide
(99cm. by 112cm.) circa 1670, bracket feet 18th Century

A CHARLES II CANED WALNUT CHAIR, with rec-
tangular caned back panel enclosed by leaves and
flowers, spiral-twist supports, legs and stretchers, circa
1670, stamped LS.

OAK CUPBOARD - OAK DRESSER - OAK CORNER CUPBOARD - GEORGE III OAK CHEST - OAK TALLBOY -  ELM CRICKET TABLE - OAK CHILD’S TABLE

A SMALL GEORGE II OAK CUPBOARD with cavetto
cornice and a pair of pendant finials, above a pair of
recessed doors with fielded ogee-shaped panels, the
slightly projecting lower part with a pair of drawers
above a pair of doors each with four fielded panels,
5ft. lin. high by 3ft. wide (110cm. by 106cm.) circa
1150, later handles.

A GEORGE III OAK CUPBOARD, the rectangular
moulded cornice above a central moulded panelled
door flanked by a pair of moulded panelled cupboard
doors, the base with three moulded dummy drawers
above three opening drawers, on bracket feet, 1ft. high by
5ft. Win. wide (21cm. by 178cm.) circa 1160, with restora-
tions.

A GEORGE III OAK DRESSER, the superstructure with
three shelves, the breakfront lower part with four drawers
in the centre section flanked on each side by a drawer
above a cupboard, 6ft. 6in. high by 5ft. 4in. wide (198cm. by
163cm.) circa 1770.

A GEORGE III OAK DRESSER
with three frieze drawers, on ringed-baluster
front legs, 2ft. 6in. high by 5ft. 6in. wide
(76cm. by 168cm.) late 18th Century.

A GEORGE III OAK CORNER CUPBOARD,
the frieze set with split acorns and a mahogany panel
flanked by lozenges above a pair of cupboard doors
crossbanded in mahogany and set with lozenges, with
three frieze drawers below and canted corners, 3ft.
high by 3ft. 2in. wide (117cm. by 196.5cm.) circa 1780.

A GEORGE III OAK AND ELM DROP-LEAF TABLE
with rounded ends, on chamfered moulded square taper-
ing legs, 2ft. 3in. high by 3ft. 4′/2in. wide extended (68cm. by
103cm.) circa 1790.

AN OAK CUPBOARD
with a fielded top and moulded corners above a pair of
fielded doors enclosing shelves, the sides similarly panelled
on a plinth base, the doors with two copper plates engraved with
the names of James Harrison 1794 and Thomas Ogden 1814, which
suggests that it was a clerk’s locker, 3ft. llin. high by 3ft.
wide (120cm. by 103cm.) late 18th Century.

A RARE GEORGE II SOLID YEW-WOOD DROP-LEAF
TABLE, with one flap, raised on slender turned legs and
four fluted scroll feet, the gateleg support with unusual
pierced stretcher, 2ft. 3in. high by 2ft. wide (69cm. by
70cm.) circa 1755.

A GEORGE III OAK CHEST with a hinged top, on
bracket feet, lft. 4in. high by 3fa. lin. wide (43cm. by
94.5cm.) late 18th Century.

A GEORGE III OAK AND ELM CRICKET TABLE on
square tapering legs joined by a circular platform stretcher,
2ft. high by lft.diam. (67cm. by 59cm.)
late 18th Century.

A PAIR OF EARLY GEORGE III OAK CHAIRS with
stufied buttoned serpentine-topped backs, stufFed seats
and square chamfered legs with H-stretchers, circa
1770.

AN ARMCHAIR in elm and fruitwood, with simple
raked back, dipped solid seat and square legs, circa
1810.

A RARE WELSH OAK CHILD’S TABLE, with attractively
figured cleated two-plank top, on square tapering legs
joined by H-stretchers, 2ft.high by 2ft. 6in. long
(62cm. by 77cm.) late 18th Century.

A GEORGE III OAK TALLBOY, the moulded and key
pattern comice above a shallow drawer inlaid with a
patera and a lozenge above three short and three long
graduated drawers with pilaster sides, the base with a
brushing slide above three long graduated drawers, on
bracket feet, Oft. 3in. high by 3ft. 8in. wide (190cm. by
112cm.) circa 1790.

TWO SIMILAR YEW-WOOD AND ELMWOOD WlNDSOR
CHAIRS with arched backs and pierced vase-shaped splats
flanked by dowels, the crossbars curving around to form the arms,
on turned supports with slide seats and ringed legs joined by
crinoline stretchers, late 18th Century.

WINDSOR ARMCHAIR in elmwood with an arched toprail,
dowelled back, solid seat and ringed legs joined by an
H-stretcher, late 18th Century.

ANOTHER WINDSOR ARMCHAIR IN ELM, with vase-
shaped splat, solid seat, ringed legs and crinoline stretcher,
earlyl9th Century.

A RARE SET OF TEN ELMWOOD AND BEECHWOOD
CHILDREN’S SCHOOL-ROOM CHAIRS, the railed backs with
curved toprails and with dished seats and turned legs
and stretchers, first half 19th Century.

153 A HARLEQUIN SET OF SIX ELMWOOD LADDERBACK CHAIRS,
each with five crossbars, rush seats, turned legs
and stretchers and pad feet, late 18th/early 19th Century

A WINDSOR ARMCHAIR in elm and yew-wood, the
arched dowelled back with pierced two-tier splat, shaped
seat and turned legs with crinoline stretcher, second
quarter 19th Centur.

AN ELM WINDSOR ARMCHAIR, the high dowelled
back with a crossbar curving to form the arms, on a solid
seat and splayed legs joined by an H-stretcher, late 19th
Century.

GEORGE III OAK AND ELM DRESSER - GEORGE II OAK TRAVELLING CHEST OF DRAWERS - OAK SETTLE - GEORGE II OAK BUREAU - OAK AND ELM ARMCHAIR - OAK BUREAU BOOKCASE

AN EARLY GEORGE III OAK AND ELM DRESSER, the
rack with a moulded comice and three shelves, the
lower part with three frieze drawers above ogee-carved
aprons, on ringed column supports and a platform base
with bracket feet, 7ft. high by 5ft. 3in. wide (213cm.
by 160cm.) mid-18th Century.

AN OAK DRESSER,
the rack with a moulded cornice above three
shelves and five short drawers, the lower part
with three frieze drawers above an ogee-carved apron and
chamfered legs with a platform stretcher and block feet,
7ft. bin. high by 6ft. 2in. wide (226cm. by 188cm.) mid-18th
Century, rack probably later.

AN UNUSUAL GEORGE II OAK TRAVELLING CHEST OF DRAWERS in four
sections, the lower part with
two short and two long drawers supporting three sections each
of three short drawers, with iron loop handles, 3ft. 8in. high by 3ft. wide (112cm. by 92cm.) circa 1750.

AN EARLY GEORGE III SOLID ELM BUREAU of rieh
dark colour, the Aap enclosing a fitted interior with four
graduated long drawers with ogee bracket feet, 3ft. 5′/2in.
high by 3ft. lin. wide (106cm. by 94cm.) circa 1770,
handles replaced.

AN OAK DRESSER with moulded cornice and three
shelves flanked by two narrow shelves on each side
flanked by a cupboard, the base with three drawers and
cabriole legs, 7ft. lin. high by 5ft. wide (216cm. by
164cm.).

A GEORGE II OAK CHEST with moulded top, the
front with four ogee-arched fielded panels, the later
stand with three drawers, on tall bracket feet, 3ft. 5in.
high by 4ft. 9l/2in. wide (104cm. by 146cm.) circa 1750, top
originally hinged.

A GEORGE II OAK SETTLE,
the slightly canted back with four arched panels,
with a plank seat and scrolled arms, on cabriole legs, 6ft. wide (183cm.) circa 1740.

A GEORGE III OAK CHEST, the rectangular
moulded top above a brushing slide and two short and
two long drawers, on bracket feet, 2ft. 4lhin. high by
2ft. Hin. wide (72cm. by 90cm.) circa 1770, top and feet
restored.

AN OAK SETTLE, the back with four fielded rec-
tangular panels, the seat with a pair of hinged panels
above four fielded base panels, the arms with turned
supports, 4ft. ‘Mn. high by 5ft. 2in. wide (123cm. by
157cm.) late 18th Century.

A PAIR OF GEORGE III CHAIRS in beechwood and
oak, the shaped toprails set with brass studs above a
pierced, shaped splat similarly studded, the stuffed seat
on square moulded legs joined by back stretchers, circa
1775.

A GEORGE II OAK BUREAU, the flap enclosing a
fitted interior above two short and three long drawers,
on bracket feet, the whole inlaid with walnut crossband-
ing, 3ft. 3′hin. high by 2ft. Win. wide (100cm. by 86cm)
mid-18th Century, Provincial.

A GEORGE III OAK AND ELM ARMCHAIR with a
curved toprail and three plain crossbars joined by turned
balusters with outcurved arms on ringed supports, with
a rush seat and turned legs ending in pad feet joined by
stretchers, late 18th Century.

A GEORGE III OAK BUREAU, the flap enclosing a
fitted interior above two short and three, graduated long
drawers, on bracket feet, the whole crossbanded in
mahogany with rosewood stringwood 3ft. 3′/2in. high by
3ft. 1 in. (101cm. by 94cm.) circa 1775.

A SET OF SIX GEORGE III OAK LADDERBACK CHAIRS
with rush seats and ringed legs joined by baluster
stretchers, late 18th Century.

A GEORGE III OAK CORNER CUPBOARD, the door
with three panels, 2ft. high by 2ft. 2′hin. wide
(89cm. by 67cm.) circa 1770.

AN OAK TABLE with rectangular plank top, simple
moulded frieze and chamfered legs, 2ft. 4in. high by
2ft. 10′hin. wide (71cm. by 87.5cm.) second half 18th
Century.

A GEORGE II ELM “CRICKET” OR DRINKING TABLE
with rounded top on splayed legs joined by a triangular
platform stretcher, 2ft. by lft. 9in. wide (65cm. by
53cm.) circa 1740.

ANOTHER similar, 2ft. 2′/2in. high by 3ft. ‘hin.
wide (67cm. by 93cm.) second half 18th Century.

ANOTHER similar, with splayed square tapering
legs, 2ft. high by lft. Win. wide (65cm. by 56cm.)
circa 1760.

A GEORGE III OAK DRESSER with three frieze
drawers, on ringed baluster front legs, 2ft.
6in. high by 5ft. 6in. wide (76cm. by 168cm.) late 18th Century.

AN EARLY GEORGE III OAK ARMCHAIR
with curved toprail, plain solid splat,
curving arms and supports with a rope seat and plain stretchers, circa 1765.

A GEORGE III OAK TALLBOY with three frieze
drawers above four graduated long drawers, the lower
part also with four graduated long drawers, on bracket
feet, 6ft. 5′hin. high by 3ft. 8′hin. wide (196cm. by 113cm.)
circa 1780.

A GEORGE III OAK DRESSER,
the upper part with open shelves and a pair of panelled doors,
the lower part with three drawers and square tapering legs, 6ft. 4in. high by 6ft. 6′/2in. wide (193cm. by 199cm.) circa 1780.

A GEORGE III OAK BUREAU BOOKCASE, with a narrow mahogany
crossbanding, the upper part with dentil cornice and a pair
of panelled doors enclosing shelves, the flap enclosing a fitted interior above two short and three long drawers,
on bracket feet, 7ft. 3in. high by 3ft. lO’Mn. wide
(221cm. by 118cm.) base circa 1780, upper part partly late 18th Century.

English Dresser

In the late sixteenth century, while wealthy households separated their dining rooms from the large hall and displayed their fine plate and porcelain on impressive court cupboards in their parlours, yeomen farmers moved to brick-built farmhouses with fewer rooms and servants. In their parlours were ’side boordes’ - long shallow tables with a single row of drawers and a boarded base.
By the turn of the eighteenth century these elongated side-tables had found a place in country manor houses. They were elegant pieces of furniture, usually in gleaming polished oak, with shining    handles and escutcheons. In the North of England, they had storage cupboards in the base, either with a central flight of three or four drawers, or with a  central cupboard flanked by two of drawers, made in elm, oak and elm, and sometimes in ash.
In the southern counties, often a separate set of hanging shelves was fixed above the dresser base. In. the North, solid shelves with backs seem to have been more common. Late eighteenth century oak dressers
with fixed shelving    no backs were often handsome pieces. However, by the end of the century, most dressers had been relegated to the kitchen, and by the nineteenth century were made in cheap soft pine as part of built-in cupboards and shelving.
Signs of authenticity
1. Timber of’sides with grain running horizontal, on dressers with frieze drawers only.
2. if dresser has cupboards or drawers, the sides are often in more than one p,)m,d .”o.- extra strength and stabilitv,
3. Simple curving slhope,, to frieze and apron, in wood of matching colour and patination.
4. All parts showing signs of heavy use and wear: build-up of grease and dirt on plate-stays, grooves, top corners of cupboards, around drawer handles.
5. Signs of ‘distressing’ on base boards: dents, scratches, where heavy pots and pans have been dragged over surface.
6. Mortise-and-tenon joints of shelves running through
uprights to show as thin rectangular shapes on the outer surface of the upright.
7. Accumulation of dirt colouring inner surface and underside of top frieze, and on top of dresser shelving*.
8. Deep patination on sides of drawers, marks of knife-points, sharp instruments, on insides of drawers.
9. Bases well-used, with signs of `fraying’ on block feet from damp, knocking with mops and brooms.
10. Dresser shelves and backboards of same-aged timber as base, on to which it fitted.
Likely restoration and  backboards have been added, they are usually of even width, commercially cut timber, wire-brushed down the grain and polished to look old.
12. Whole tops added to dresser bases - may be a period addition or a more recent one, to add value.
13. Added friezes and aprons to increase value - saw-marks can be felt on unfinished underside, timber will not be as hard and seasoned as original timbers.
14. New base boards and inspect closely for other repall-S, such as new underframe.
15. If there are board-backs to bases with frieze drawers, suspect, new legs and aprons where original doors and drawers have been too badly damaged to restore and have been removed.
Construction and materials
In all but a very few pieces, dresser construction lagged considerably behind more sophisticated pieces of furniture, and drawers were made with thick through-dovetails, projecting lip moulding and simple rebate joints reinforced with coarse iron nails from the local smithy. Mortise-and-tenon joints continued to be used with wooden pegs or dowels long after brass screws were common on most furniture. There was probably also a practical reason for this traditional form of construction. In the constantly changing temperature and condensation of the kitchen, with consequent continuous movement of timber. it would have served far better than later methods of construction.
Dressers were made in oak, finely finished and without fixed shelving from c.1690 onwards, sometimes much in the style of contemporary chests of drawers, with fielded and coffered doors, drawers, reeded and mitred mouldings and twist-turned legs or baluster-turned legs. By the early eighteenth century some had well-fitted shelving units with small spice cupboards and grooves or plate-stays.
Between c.1690 and 1710 some grander dressers heralded the shape of sideboards, with a raised backboard, sometimes with shelves or small drawers. From the mid-eighteenth century, shelving above the dresser base became an integral part of the design, though these seldom had backboards.
Reproductions
Nineteenth century
Oak dressers were reproduced during the Victorian period in commercial plank oak, usually stained. Some of the more interesting pieces date from the end of the nineteenth century and were made by the Arts and Crafts Movement as all-purpose pieces of furniture. They are closer to sideboards than dressers in concept.
By the end of the nineteenth century all kinds of kitchen cupboards were built into the large service quarters of Victorian houses, some with glass-fronted doors with cupboards or drawers beneath; some with open shelves and cupboards. Many of these have been neatly converted into ,antique pine dressers’, stripped of their many layers of paint.
Pine
The ubiquitous pine dresser was first made as a built-in piece of furniture destined to be painted from the mid-eighteenth century onwards. By the end of the century it was being made in smaller, more finished versions for use in farm houses and townhouse kitchens.
Price bands
Dresser, with decorative frieze, potboard, turned legs, excellent quality, late eighteenth century, $2,500–4,000.
Good oak with decorative canopy. c.1820, $1,200-1,500.
North Welsh, oak, enclosed, c.1850, $1,500-2,200.
Cottage oak, with potboard and simple legs, c.1820, $900-1.200.
Simple pine, 1840, $.350-450.
Variations
Regional styles
Most dressers were country-made, in varying degrees of skill and craftsmanship. Most interesting are the regional variations, such as the `Welsh dresser’ proper (as opposed to the tridarn and the deuddarn) from South Wales with elaborately pierced and fretted aprons and friezes. Southern dressers without backboards could stand flush against a brick-built wall. North country dressers with backboards stood against rough-cast or stone walls. North Wales dressers often had a pair of cupboards below three frieze drawers in the base, as opposed to the North country dressers with cupboards and one or two flights of drawers.
Countless kitchen dressers were built by the resident carpenters on large estates for all the tenant farms, frequently of a very high standard of design and craftsmanship, often using odd pieces of fruitwood or fine timber left over in their workshops from panelling and boarding from the `Big House’. These may date from the last two decades of the eighteenth century up to the beginning of the twentieth.
Below: North Country pine
dresser, with two fielded panelled doors in the base, and panelled sides. The shelves are tenoned through the shaped side-pieces which support the simply
moulded canopy.