LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

This dresser originates in North Wales as part of a complex of dresser traditions which, although similar in essence, have different workshop 'signatures' in their design. This dresser is an example of a group of dressers whose doors have inset panels which are set flush to the outer frame, with a beading between them. Other variants in the group have 'arabesque' tops or central domes to the door panels. This example has two square-panelled outer doors and a central small door with an 'arabesque' topped panel and with a smaller shallow drawer above it. This configuration is unusual in a group where three drawers centrally placed between the two cupboards is the most common form. Dressers in this group have wide, pine backboards to the shelves and,in this case, pine panelled sides to the base, a feature of many otherwise oak pieces of furniture made in Caernarvonshire, North Wales.