LATE 18TH CENTURY

This dresser which probably originally had shelves above, is otherwise in remarkably original condition, with much of its original paint still present, showing residues of original light grey/green paint, evidence of light and dark blue and traces of red lead and white paint over this. It's sledge feet are intact and are of a type widely used in dressers made in East Somerset. This is probably its place of origin, although many other dressers from this region typicaly have bases which were open below with three drawers above (See Gabriel Olive, Farm & Cottage Furniture in the West Country, published by Regional Furniture Society 2002 pp. 26-27). However, the raised fielded panels in the square doors and on the drawer fronts indicate that this is a rare 18th century example of a West Country dresser whose origins are also confirmed in the use of plain boarded sides which have a rounded bead corner to the front, a feature found in much West Country pine case furniture.