Lot 438
An early American ebonised and red 'combed' kitchen dresser Probably mid18th century
Auction: 26 September 2007 at 11:00 BST
Description
of small proportions, the projecting ebonised cornice above a re-entrant cornered frieze with incised 'cockbead' edge and three shelves grooved for plates and framed by similarly incised and lipped facings ending in downswept shoe pieces, the top with a broad moulded edge above a six-panel front composed of a pair of cupboard doors flanking a central panelled divider, each panel decorated with narrow frame mouldings, on caddy moulded uprights and stem feet, the sides with conforming double panelling
Dimensions
130cm wide, 194cm high, 39cm deep
Footnote
Note: American painted dressers of this type and size are scarce. The stylish features of this example possibly indicate a New England provenance and the use of crisply executed caddy and re-entrant mouldings suggests an early date. The dresser is in its original condition complete with wrought iron plate hooks, which are crimped flat at the ends, and turned pull handles. An escutcheon appears to have been added to the right hand door, but all the escutcheons appear to be of an early date.
The dresser is composed of oak framing around pine panels with are chamfered on their internal edges, rather than presenting an outward facing 'fielded' panel.
The ebonised highlights to the mouldings are perhaps more accurately described as 'brown painted.' The drawing of a comb across the wet painted surface has achieved a rippled effect, in dark and light wine-red, appealing to the eye as an example of Folk Art, in the medium of vernacular furniture making.