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Lot Essay
Dressers of this imposing form were made in North Wales from at least the beginning of the 18th century, and the shelves provide an enclosed space, originally for the display of pewter, which in Wales was polished on the rear of the plates to create reflection of light in homes lit by candles and rush lights. The use of yew spindles in the frieze of the shelves provides a decorative feature which is sometimes found in food or dole cupboards of the 17th and early 18th centuries, and reflects the deep sense of attachment to this wood held by the Welsh. The turned finials on the corners of the shelves are a decorative feature found in other forms of North Wales cupboard furniture, including the Cwpwrdd Tridarns and Deuddarns, (two and three part cupboards.)
The base has three upper drawers, with brass ring handles (one missing) which were common fittings in the first half of the 18th century. The construction of the two outer and one smaller central door are unusual in dressers of this type, where a raised, fielded central panel or panels would be more common than the inset panels used in this example, indicating that the piece was made towards the end of the period when canopied dressers were produced in Wales, when a fashion for lighter door construction became preferred.
The two outer doors which now have butt hinges were originally hinged with metal pintles, metal pegs which fitted to the top and bottom of the door and fitted into holes in the frame. The central door retains its original pintles. This ancient form of hinging doors pre-dates butt hinges which typically began to be used circa 1790 onwards in Welsh furniture. The two brass handles are 19th century replacements.
The whole dresser has a deep, warm reddish brown colour under the patination caused by daily use. In Wales, this underlying colour was often produced by applying a plant pigment, Dragon's Blood, which, over time, creates great lustre and depth of colour.
We are grateful to Dr.B.D.Cotton for assistance with this catalogue entrey
The base has three upper drawers, with brass ring handles (one missing) which were common fittings in the first half of the 18th century. The construction of the two outer and one smaller central door are unusual in dressers of this type, where a raised, fielded central panel or panels would be more common than the inset panels used in this example, indicating that the piece was made towards the end of the period when canopied dressers were produced in Wales, when a fashion for lighter door construction became preferred.
The two outer doors which now have butt hinges were originally hinged with metal pintles, metal pegs which fitted to the top and bottom of the door and fitted into holes in the frame. The central door retains its original pintles. This ancient form of hinging doors pre-dates butt hinges which typically began to be used circa 1790 onwards in Welsh furniture. The two brass handles are 19th century replacements.
The whole dresser has a deep, warm reddish brown colour under the patination caused by daily use. In Wales, this underlying colour was often produced by applying a plant pigment, Dragon's Blood, which, over time, creates great lustre and depth of colour.
We are grateful to Dr.B.D.Cotton for assistance with this catalogue entrey