Washstand
Furniture MakerMade by
Isaac Wright & Co.
(American, 1831 - 1838)
Date1831-1838
MediumPine and maple primary wood, tulip poplar secondary wood, brass hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 36 7/8 x 18 1/8 x 16 13/16in. (93.7 x 46 x 42.7cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineFrom The Antiquarian and Landmarks Society
DescriptionPainted pine and maple dressing table in the Empire, or late neoclassical, style. The top of the washstand consists of a three-sided backboard surrounding a board with a round hole in the center. The the top edge of the back backboard is arched. The top edge of the side backboards taper toward the front of the washstand and are shaped with a quarter circle, small fillet, or horizontal, and a cyma, or S-curve at the front. This is located at the top of four rails that connect each of the four legs, or posts, turned with baluster, ring and block forms over small ball feet. Below the upper level of baluster and ring form turnings on the legs is a horizontal shelf over a drawer with a round brass handle on the front.
Painted Decoration. The washstand is painted yellow with black and gold stenciled decoration on the backboard and front legs. The front of the backboard is stenciled with a bunch of grapes, four grape leaves, and several curled vines. A border consisting of a black band with superimposed gold leaves is painted or stenciled on the top edge of the backboards, surrounding the hole in the top board of the washstand, the front edges of that same board, on the bottom edge of the front rail below this board, and surrounding the block forms on the turned front legs. The rings on the front legs are painted with gold and black. The front feet are painted black.
Condition: The front left corner of the shelf has split. The upper back and lower front right side of the drawer has split. The back of the left drawer runner has split. The top of the washstand, at the backboards and top board, are lightly stained. The paint on the shelf is flaking slightly. The border painted along the upper center right of the drawer front has a scratch. The paint on the lower legs and feet is lightly scratched and worn. Larger flakes of paint are missing from the lower right leg, and the upper portions of the front and back left legs.
Design and Construction Details.
Case Construction. The back boards are butted and nailed at each of the back corners; in turn the backboards are nailed to the sides of the board with a hole in it. Each of the rails are tenoned into the block at the top of the legs. The shelf above the drawer is constructed of a single board that is nailed down to the rails at the side and back of the drawer. These rails are tenoned into the block at the middle of each of the legs.
Drawer Construction. The drawer runners are nailed to the interior of the rails at each side of the drawer. The drawer sides are flat on top, and joined to the front and back of the drawer with dovetails. The bottom of the drawer is constructed of two boards butted together that slide into a groove on the lower interior front and isdes of the drawer; it is nailed at the back.
Painted Decoration. The washstand is painted yellow with black and gold stenciled decoration on the backboard and front legs. The front of the backboard is stenciled with a bunch of grapes, four grape leaves, and several curled vines. A border consisting of a black band with superimposed gold leaves is painted or stenciled on the top edge of the backboards, surrounding the hole in the top board of the washstand, the front edges of that same board, on the bottom edge of the front rail below this board, and surrounding the block forms on the turned front legs. The rings on the front legs are painted with gold and black. The front feet are painted black.
Condition: The front left corner of the shelf has split. The upper back and lower front right side of the drawer has split. The back of the left drawer runner has split. The top of the washstand, at the backboards and top board, are lightly stained. The paint on the shelf is flaking slightly. The border painted along the upper center right of the drawer front has a scratch. The paint on the lower legs and feet is lightly scratched and worn. Larger flakes of paint are missing from the lower right leg, and the upper portions of the front and back left legs.
Design and Construction Details.
Case Construction. The back boards are butted and nailed at each of the back corners; in turn the backboards are nailed to the sides of the board with a hole in it. Each of the rails are tenoned into the block at the top of the legs. The shelf above the drawer is constructed of a single board that is nailed down to the rails at the side and back of the drawer. These rails are tenoned into the block at the middle of each of the legs.
Drawer Construction. The drawer runners are nailed to the interior of the rails at each side of the drawer. The drawer sides are flat on top, and joined to the front and back of the drawer with dovetails. The bottom of the drawer is constructed of two boards butted together that slide into a groove on the lower interior front and isdes of the drawer; it is nailed at the back.
Object number1969.45.0
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