Posted 7 years ago
AuntieM
(50 items)
This is a cabinet that I have had for several years, I thought when I bought it that it might be a map chest, but I have had different opinions on it, some say silverware chest (the drawers are not lined), someone said a spool cabinet (the drawers inside do not have dividers and are graduated spools wouldn't fit.
The measurements are 28" wide x 16 1/2" deep x 29 1/2" tall
I'm hoping that someone could help in identifying and dating my cabinet. Thanks for any information that can be shared.
The original piece was EMPIRE.
It looks to have been reworked.
The numerous interior drawers look to be later additions. They don't seem to match the top drawer. Are they dovetailed in the same manner as the top drawer?
A photo of the interior with all the drawers out and a photo of the dovetails would be helpful-- I suspect the bottom was originally open/ without the drawers.
Also the pilasters on the doors themselves is unusual-- maybe the entire bottom was reworked?
scott
The mounts are British Regency (similar to Empire) but not really empire style, around 1950 or so judging from the hardware brass/bronze and wood mounts, but possibly a few years earlier 20th Century. They usually used these small drawers to hold drawings or maps which were more common in 19th century. These drawers would hold copper plate etchings also. Collectors of etchings by the masters such as Rembrandt, Picasso etc., were more common up to the 1960's and this would be important as a collection holder. The whole piece looks to be original, as made, but that is open to debate as much furniture has to be seen in person to be verified correctly. I like this very much. Usually called a Collectors Cabinet.