Dresser base, of oak, with cross-bandings of oak and mahogany, the centre with two long drawers below two short drawers, flanked by cupboards, each with a drawer above.

Dresser base of oak, inlaid with walnut. The front, which is divided into three parts, has in the centre two short and three long drawers, and on either side a cupboard with panelled door and arched top, and a drawer above; the cornice and plinth are moulded, the latter having shaped openings below. The front edges of the dresser are canted, and the panels inlaid with a panel of burr oak. The fronts of the drawers and cupboards are cross-banded with oak, the corners with inlaid, shaped panels of mahogany. The drawers are and mounted with handles and escutcheons of engraved brass, the doors with simple oval knobs in brass. The drawers are of oak, dovetailed. The fronts are additionally veneered in oak, with the cross-banding and corner panels added. The bases run front to back, each of two boards, nailed up, with runners added at the sides. The top of the dresser base has been replaced, perhaps because of scarring when a rack section was removed.

Bequeathed by Mr W. W. Simpson through Art Fund

Notes from R.P. 17/4080, bequeathed by W W Simpson of Winkley Hall through NACF 20 December 1917

Listed on gift form
as "1 oak sideboard, 6ft long, with two long and four short drawers and two pedestal cupboards".

Minute Paper
records only "Acceptance recommended - - O.B. 31 Dec 17" and "See Agenda" (no agenda in these R.P.s). In 1917 the Museum was much concerned with building up its collection of English (British) furniture. Until the 1880s most of its acquisitions had been of European (particularly Italian) furniture.

Previously on loan to Batley, West Yorkshire, 1953-1963.
On loan to Shugborough Hall Farm, Staffordshire, 1989-2021 (Registered Files 89/1678). Returned from loan April 2021.

Oak dresser bases with these arched tops to panels and doors are typical of furniture made in the North of Wales in the 18th century, as are the deeply fielded panels. This dresser base is more sophisticated than some, with cross-banding in oak veneer on the drawer fronts, the corners inlaid with shaped panels of mahogany.

W.54-1917