A Handsome Architectural George III Mahogany Linen Press Later Adapted to a Wardrobe c.1780
SOLD
Origin: English
Period: George IIII
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1770-90
Width: 51.25” at cornice or 46.5” at base
Height: 79”
Depth: 27” (all at extremities)
The fine quality solid mahogany carcass in two parts of rather diminutive size, designed with a certain amount of portability in mind being on concealed castors and with the lower chest section having large brass handles to the flanks, the top section having a bold key pattern broken arch architectural pediment above a pair of panel doors enclosing a later adapted hanging space, with one linen slide present, the two lower cockbeaded drawers being oak lined and displaying the original brass drop handles, the whole standing on bracket feet and surviving from George III period England.
The piece has some tarnishes and small knocks commensurate with its age, but the whole has a good colour to the high-grade mahogany and the drawers run smooth with the carcass proving structurally sound. It has been adapted later in its life to be used as a wardrobe with the base of the top section being cut out professionally to the top to allow sufficient fall so that clothes can be hung inside on a later pole. There is still one original linen drawer present, which can be used as a base or as a drawer on one of the other levels to the runners, which are all still present. The top section has an old temperature related crack running to one side, which isn’t affecting the pieces stability. Whilst the doors close and lock comfortably, the door bearing the escutcheon has a slight bow to it to the top. The castors are running well and essentially she is in good country house condition, well looked after in her years, though with some expected deficiencies.
Although this is not a campaign piece (not with that wonderful pediment!) there is certainly something of the campaign to it, what with the large brass handles to the lower chest section, the relative small proportions and with the piece being on concealed castors, all design features that point to a piece of case furniture that was made to be able to be moved around a considerable amount.
A very striking and handsome architectural example lifting it above the rather more staid specimens of the same period; proportion, quality and style all reign supreme here.
Period: George IIII
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1770-90
Width: 51.25” at cornice or 46.5” at base
Height: 79”
Depth: 27” (all at extremities)
The fine quality solid mahogany carcass in two parts of rather diminutive size, designed with a certain amount of portability in mind being on concealed castors and with the lower chest section having large brass handles to the flanks, the top section having a bold key pattern broken arch architectural pediment above a pair of panel doors enclosing a later adapted hanging space, with one linen slide present, the two lower cockbeaded drawers being oak lined and displaying the original brass drop handles, the whole standing on bracket feet and surviving from George III period England.
The piece has some tarnishes and small knocks commensurate with its age, but the whole has a good colour to the high-grade mahogany and the drawers run smooth with the carcass proving structurally sound. It has been adapted later in its life to be used as a wardrobe with the base of the top section being cut out professionally to the top to allow sufficient fall so that clothes can be hung inside on a later pole. There is still one original linen drawer present, which can be used as a base or as a drawer on one of the other levels to the runners, which are all still present. The top section has an old temperature related crack running to one side, which isn’t affecting the pieces stability. Whilst the doors close and lock comfortably, the door bearing the escutcheon has a slight bow to it to the top. The castors are running well and essentially she is in good country house condition, well looked after in her years, though with some expected deficiencies.
Although this is not a campaign piece (not with that wonderful pediment!) there is certainly something of the campaign to it, what with the large brass handles to the lower chest section, the relative small proportions and with the piece being on concealed castors, all design features that point to a piece of case furniture that was made to be able to be moved around a considerable amount.
A very striking and handsome architectural example lifting it above the rather more staid specimens of the same period; proportion, quality and style all reign supreme here.