MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE - MAHOGANY WING ARMCHAIR - HANGING CORNER CUPBOARD - BUREAU CABINET - TRIPOD TABLE - MAHOGANY PLATE CABINET

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE with a
rectangular top, three drawers in the shaped frieze and
chamfered legs, 2ft. high by 2ft. 6in. wide (70cm. by
76cm.) circa 1755.

A LATE GEORGE II MAHOGANY ARMCHAIR, the
serpentine toprail and pierced splat with outcurved
shepherd’s crook arms and drop-in seat, on cabriole legs
ending in pad feet, circa 1760.

A PAIR OF EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY CHAIRS,
the serpentine tops with Gothic-pierced backs, drop-in
seats and square chamfered legs, circa 1760, carving on
back later 19th Century.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY WING ARMCHAIR with
upholstered back, arms and seat, on moulded chamfered
legs and stretchers, circa 1760.

AN EARLY GEORGE III GILTWOOD MIRROR FRAME
enclosed by elongated scrollwork and flame motifs, the
sides hung with pendant flowers with a cartouche at the
top, 3ft. 3in. high by 2ft. 2in. wide (100cm. by 66cm.) circa
1760.

A PAIR OF WALNUT CHAIRS, each with a serpentine
toprail and pierced urn-shaped splat, the drop-in seat on
cabriole legs carved with shells and ending in pad feet,
circa 1750, backs possibly carved later.

A MID-GEORGIAN HANGING CORNER CUPBOARD
with a dentil cornice and a pair of arched doors,
each with three fielded panels outlined by stringing,
4ft. 3in. high by 3ft. lin.

wide (130cm. by 94cm) circa 1760.

A LATE GEORGE II MAHOGANY TALLBOY, the upper
part with a dentil comice above two short and three
graduated long drawers with fluted chamfered corners,
the lower part with a slide above three further graduated
drawers, on bracket feet, 6ft. 5′/2in. high by 3ft. 7′/2in.
wide (197cm. by 110cm.) circa 1760.

AN EARLY GEORGE III SERPENTINE MAHOGANY
CARD TABLE, the top with a moulded edge and raised
on square moulded chamfered legs, 3ft. wide (91cm.) circa
1765.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY BUREAU CABINET, the upper
part with a blind fret and dentil cornice above a
pair of thirteen-panelled glazed doors enclosing an interior with shelves,
pigeonholes and small drawers, the lower part with a
flap enclosing a fitted interior above four graduated
long drawers, on bracket feet, 7ft. 5in. high by 3ft. 6in. wide
(226cm. by 107cm.) circa 1760.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE
with a circular dished top and turned column,
2ft. 21/2in. high by lft. lO’Mn. diameter (68cm. by 57cm.) circa 1770.

AN EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY BEDSIDE TABLE,
the rectangular top with a pierced gallery, the front with
a tambour cupboard above a drawer, formerly a
commode drawer, on chamfered legs, 2ft. 6′/2in. high by
lft. 7in. wide (78cm. by 49cm.) circa 1765.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE CHEST with
a moulded top, with fitted secretaire drawer and three
long drawers, on bracket feet, 3ft. 5in. high by 3ft. 8V2in.
wide (104cm. by 113cm.) circa 1770, originally with an
upper part.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY COMMODE
inlaid with chequered bandings, the serpentine
front with a slide above four long drawers, on bracket feet,
2ft. 9in. high by 4ft. 3′/2in. wide
(84cm. by 131cm.) circa 1770.

A SET OF six GEORGE III MAHOGANY CHAIRS,
each with a serpentine toprail and pierced Gothic splat,
the stuffed seats on square legs, circa 1765.

A MAHOGANY PLATE CABINET now with a moulded
beige marble top, the hinged front set with two dummy
drawers and enclosing a compartment with a lattice-
worked floor, with a serpentine apron, on moulded
cabriole legs, 2ft. 8in. high by 2ft. wide (81cm. by
65cm.) circa 1765, Colonial.

A GEORGE III SERPENTINE-FRONTED MAHOGANY
CHEST with four long drawers, each with a narrow
crossbanding and the moulded top with a broad
crossbanding, on bracket feet, 2ft. 8in. high by 3ft. 3in.
wide (81cm. by 99cm.) circa 1770.

A MAHOGANY CABINET ON CHEST, the cabinet with a broken
triangular comice above a blind fret frieze and a pair
of doors each with a serpentine-topped panel enclosing
adjustable shelves with a row of drawers, the lower part
with three short, two short and three long drawers, with
fluted quadrant corners, ogee bracket feet and oak sides, 7ft.
lin. high by 3ft. 5in. wide (216cm. by 104cm.) both parts
circa 1770, but not originally together.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY DROP-LEAF TABLE, with
D-shaped leaves, on turned, slightly splayed legs, 2ft.
5V2in. high by 5ft. 8′/2in. diameter (74cm. by 174cm.) circa
1770, legs now raised in height.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TALLBOY with a moulded dentil
comice above two short and three graduated long drawers
with fluted chamfered corners, the lower part with three long
drawers, on bracket feet, 5ft. lOin. high by 3ft. Win.
wide (178cm. by 117cm.) circa 1775.

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.

Antique English Dressers - Charles II period small oak dresser - 17th Century oak dresser - fruitwood dresser of the early 18th century on cabriole legs -  English country dresser - oak dresser with upper shelves and single cupboard door - Queen Anne mahogany cupboarded oak dresser with drawers

The demarcation between antique cupboards and antique dressers in the 17th century is somewhat difficult to define, particularly where the lower portion is enclosed by doors. About 1650 and afterwards it was common to have  dressers which were without the upper superstructure although sometimes shelves may have been fastened to the wall above. Naturally these dressers reflected the style of the period as far as drawer decoration and leg turning was concerned. In country districts dressers were made by local craftsmen on throughout the 18th century long after they had ceased to be fashionable in town houses. In this waythe cabriole leg continued to appear on dressers when it had disappeared on other town-made furniture. In the second half of the 18th century side cupboards were included in the upper half and the top cornice carried mouldings copied from more refined furniture, such as dentil friezes. The dresser does not appear to have developed much beyond this period; since it has long been relegated to a piece of kitchen furniture it may have been neglected stylistically for this reason.
The prices given are assuming good structural condition and originality. No pine dressers are shown and it must be emphasized that pine dressers are generally late in date and less than half the oak prices shown.

A fine Charles II period small oak dresser. The drawers illustrate the geometrical mouldings found on chests of the period-the swan-neck handles are a replacement and simple pear-drops or pulls would have been more likely. The legs show a fine example of Restoration turning with inverted cup and baluster forms. Although the legs finish square in section as though to take stretchers, these were not originally fitted. The top edge surface shows a simple thumb nail moulding and the cornice beneath shows a fine bold concave form.
Value points: Small Size - 5ft to 6ft long  Quality of leg turning  Drawer mouldings  Colour and patination  Original handles

Another fine larger oak dresser of c. 1680. The drawers show the same form as the previous example, with mitred decorative mouldings, but applied split baluster forms decorate the frame at the sides and between
them. The legs show fine column turning of the same form as our gate-leg table illustrated in that section. Again the legs are squared above the turned feet as though to take stretcher joints, but in fact stretchers are
only fitted at the side.
Value points: Size - length 6ft or under  Colour and patination
Quality of drawer mouldings  Quality of leg turning
Original handles

A fruitwood dresser of the early 18th century. The drawers show a simpler form of the earlier moulded panels but the top edge mouldings retain the same form. The cupboard door panels are also moulded with mock drawer fronts in the top half to retain proportion.
Value points: Fruitwood
Colour and patination  Quality of mouldings  Original handles

A rathermore countrified dresser of the early 18th century showing very simple leg turning. The shaped apron with projecting lip moulding follows that of side table styles of the period. The drawer fronts are very simple but there is a form of cock bead around them on the frame. The top edge has a simple thumb-nail moulding.
Value points: Size - 7ft wide or under … Colour and patination
Quality of mouldings
Original handles

An oak dresser of c. 1725 with upper shelves. The top cornice has an ogee moulding and shaped frieze beneath. The door panels are fielded and shaped,with the solid panel between them repeating this form. The drawers are simple, with no moulding, but the frame around them and the cupboard doors show a simple moulded edge. Note the panelled side to the lower section.
Value points: Small Size
Colour and patination  Fielded door panels  Original handles
Quality of mouldings

An oak dresser of c. 1725 also, but without the upper structure. The cupboard doors are again fielded and shaped. There is also the same moulded edge form on the frame around doors and drawers. The latter are simple; the handles are not original. Note that the sides are panelled; a form found on chests of drawers of the previous century.
Value points: Small Size
Colour and patination Quality of mouldings  Original handles

A much simpler and cruder oak dresser of the early 18th century with simple single cupboard door. There is a simple thumb-nail moulding round the top edge and the frame also has a simple moulding around drawers
and panel edges.
Value points: Small Size
Colour and patination  Quality of mouldings  Original handles

An oak dresser of mid-18th century period on cabriole legs. The upper part is fitted with three spice drawers, which adds to value. The top edge moulding is rather more sophisticated and the drawers have an ovolo lip moulding around the edge to lap over the carcase frame. The cabriole legs are well shaped ending in a pad foot.
Value points: Small Size
Colour and patination  Spice drawers
cabriole legs
Original handles

An oak dresser of mid-18th century. The top cornice shows a dentillated section in the moulding with a shaped frieze beneath. The side cupboard doors are panelled and moulded. The drawers are cock beaded and the swan-neck handles are possibly original. The shaped apron repeats the curves of the top frieze. It is interesting to note the C scroll behind the knee on the cabriole legs - a sign of quality coming from cabrioles of the Queen Anne period.
Value points: Small Size
cabriole legs
Colour and patination  Quality of mouldings  Shaped apron and frieze

A cupboarded oak dresser of mid-18th century with fielded panels in doors and drawers. The cupboards on either side of the upper structure have a spice drawer beneath. The whole form of construction dates from a much earlier period, showing how country craftsmen retained these methods long after they were superseded elsewhere.
Value points: Small Size
Colour and patination  Spice drawers
Original handles

A later 18th century oak dresser with drawers cross banded in mahogany. The top cornice is well moulded and the row of spice drawers in the upper section adds greatly to value. The cross banded drawers are cock
beaded and it can be seen that small drawers have been let into the frieze. The ‘gallery’ beneath with its useful floor-level shelf was used for larger kitchen utensils and pots,
Value points: Small Size
Colour and patination  Spice drawers
Original handles
Quality of leg turning

A Welsh oak dresser of last quarter of the 18th century. Note that the drawers are cock-beaded and that the shaped central apron reflects a form of much earlier origin. The apron is also cock-beaded like some Queen Anne forms. The panelled or boarded-in back gives a heavier appearance and it is well to remember that many may have had this removed.
Value points: Small Size
Colour and patination  Original handles

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.

DRESSERS  space below
A magnificent and large example of an English oak dresser of four drawers, raised upon three frontal cabriole legs, united by finely pierced and shaped apron. The superstructure of shelves, containing two cupboards with fluted frontal stiles, containing doors with square fielded panels. The frontal edges to the shelves and the upright supporters finely shaped. The frieze under the cornice, finely pierced and shaped, carrying out the design of the apron. Shropshire. c. 1750
Southern Welsh pot boarded dresser of two drawers. The legs to the base being square, the apron with ogee shaping. The superstructure of shelves being unbacked, and with finely shaped sides. The frieze of simple
shaping. c. 1740
There are clear similarities between this piece and 495. The clever use of a similar pattern of decorative frieze on the top and bottom give it a feeling of lightness. The use of cabriole legs and the two side doors
suggest that this also may come from Shropshire, certainly the West Midlands. The only slight quibble is that the cabrioles are cut straight down one side and do not look as good as 495. c. 1770
Mid-Welsh or Montgomeryshire pot boarded dresser of four drawers. The legs to the base being of baluster turning, with a shaped apron of ogee form between the legs. The apron and the drawer fronts being
cock-beaded. Between each apron and drawer an applied reeded moulding. The superstructure of shelves, with horizontal back-boards, supported by cupboarded sides, the small base cupboards of plain panelled
doors, the tall narrow cupboards above, with reeded panel doors. The shaped frieze having an applied pierced tracing above the shaping. c.1750
Mid-Welsh or Montgomeryshire pot boarded dresser of three drawers. The legs to the base being square, and reeded upon the frontal surfaces. This reeding carried on between the drawers. The apron shaped with
ogee moulding between the legs. The superstructure of shelves containing two cupboards with ‘Gothic’ shaped doors. The frieze to the superstructure with fretting and scalloping. Initialled and dated inside the
right-hand shelf cupboard `W. G. 1801′. Early 19th century
An English chestnut dresser of three drawers raised upon square tapered legs, united by a finely pierced and shaped apron. The superstructure of shelves, unbacked, with finely shaped sides, and shelf edgings with
figure compartments at the sides. The top frieze, under the cornice, finely pierced and shaped, carrying out the design in the apron.
A Welsh open-based dresser, the top board raised upon three silhouette baluster-shaped legs. The moulding around the base, forming a simple bracket foot, is of later addition. The sides with two upright rails in the
framing. The superstructure of shelves, with shaped sides and plain frieze to the top. c. 1720
Southern Welsh pot boarded dresser of six drawers. The legs to the base are chamfered to give a slender or more delicate appearance. These are united by a finely shaped apron which is returned on the sides. The
superstrucure of unbacked shelves has reeded frontal edges, the sides being stepped back between each shelf. A finely pierced and shaped frieze of scalloping runs below the top moulding. Probably Glamorganshire.
A mid-19th century version of the South Welsh oak pot board dresser, of five drawers, all cock-beaded with small twin domed arch aprons simply inlaid as sunbursts in mahogany, between the two outside drawers. The drawers, all with their original wooden knobs with mother-of-pearl inlay. The whole is supported on three turned balusters, terminated upon the pot board surmounting bracket feet. The very simple superstructure of shelves is backed by wide pine back-boards which is typical of the period.
c. 1840
An oak pot board dresser with a pair of well-turned legs and bun feet, which give it the ‘lift’ necessary to avoid the rather square appearance of the other dressers on this page.
Late 18th century
A very simple square legged dresser with drawers, cock-beaded and cross-banded in mahogany. Very basic in design with only Regency type flat reeded moulding to give it a more finished appearance. c.1820
A cottage oak dresser with pot board and simple square legs. The design is helped slightly by the shaped fret to the underside of the base. It is however small and desirable where space is limited.
Early 19th century
A tiny little dresser in oak with a pot board base. Short of decoration but desirable because small.
A North Wales pot board dresser. The main body and pot board are in pine, the legs fruitwood, and the shelves and side elm-faced with pine strips. The dowelled construction is evident from the photograph. The reeled feet are a rare feature not seen on late pieces. The shaping on the sides of the rack add greatly to the attractiveness as do the good patination and original handles. c. 1750
An exceptional pine North Welsh dresser with three drawers, two cupboard doors and three false drawers in the base, as does 510. The excellent rack above has two cupboards with drawers underneath and a
remarkably moulded top cornice with an unusually complex lentil frieze. Comes from the North Wales coast.

DRESSERS  Pine

The pine dresser seems to be almost exclusively a Welsh product. Up to about 1840 the shelves were open, after that some parts were glazed until 1870, when totally glazed racks appeared. Pine became scarcertowards the end of the century so that back-boards became narrow; by the 1890s plywood panels came into use and bun feet appeared. Like most items in Victorian Britain decoration became increasingly important at the century progressed.Particularly since oak dressers have escalated in price pine dressers have become more popular, though early wellpatinated pine (as opposed to pieces originally painted and recently stripped in a large acid bath) has always had its keen admirers. Well-polished stripped pine fits well into kitchens both modern and old and, like the dressers on the previous pages, are find their way into the living room. For more information see the article by John Creed-Miles of John Creed of Camden Passage, London, who wrote on this subject in Antique Collecting, Vol. 11, No. 12 and from which the information in this section is largely drawn. A North Welsh pine cupboard dresser base with three drawers across the top, a plain panelied door on each side, and three false drawer fronts down the middle. The space behind the false drawers is reached via the cupboard doors. The handles are replacements for the original wooden knobs but the ivory key escutcheons are original. Originally this dresser would have had a shelved rack above it. 1800-1820 A Pembrokeshire `dog kennel’ dresser so called because of the space under the centre drawer. A very popular type since it is small having been made originally to fit into the small houses of this poorer part of Wales.They are normally simply made (notice the simple boarded side, no panelling, and the plain frieze).
c. 1830
A later development of the `dog kennel’. It is better made than the previous example with panelled sides and bracket feet. 1840s
A simply constructed piece with chamfered edges to the doors in place of applied mouldings. All the doors open. c. 1840s
A larger more sophisticated design of open based dresser. Good bold mouldings and a well-executed dentil frieze, attractively shaped sides and good broad back boards. A fine example. 1770-1780