Object: Three Piece Mahogany Linen Press
Dimensions: Height 84″
Width 51″ (Maximum at feet)
Depth 21″ (Maximum at feet)
Maker: Unknown, illegible chalk inscriptions on backing boards read James?, Sabel?
Location: Probably Baltimore, Maryland or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date: Ca.1795
Commentary: This finely proportioned, mahogany linen press with a meticulously constructed base, upper case and cornice, survives in excellent condition. The press retains its original brasses and hardware, original feet and blocking, and has only minor repairs scattered repairs as detailed below. Its design was clearly derived from Chippendale?s Director, and reflects the ?neat and plain? style and the preference for English furniture forms favored by many eighteenth century Americans, particularly in the Southern tidewater. Refined, stylish furniture of fine quality and materials but without ostentatious ornamentation ? such as this press, were also favored by members of the Quaker communities, prominent in Philadelphia and Baltimore.
The high quality of construction and design of this large press provide compelling evidence that it was the work of an experienced cabinetmaker in a well established shop. As with most clothes or linen presses of the period, the lower case contained drawers while the upper case was fitted with full-width sliding shelves or trays that were designed for the storage of folded clothes or other household textiles. The lower case contains full depth dust boards set from the rear into dadoes. Drawer blades measure 3?, appear to be of pine, have stops and are fronted with strips of mahogany. Each drawer is finely dovetailed at the front and rear and is framed by cock beaded edges. The bottom boards are planed at the edges, set into dadoes and secured by glue 3? to 4? glue blocks on the sides and front and nailed across the rear. The large, well formed ogee bracket feet retain their original massive, shaped vertical blocks and horizontal reinforcements. .
A pair of mortise and tenoned, flat paneled upper doors open into an upper case that contains six trays. The trays, constructed of cedar bottoms and sides with solid mahogany fronts, slide on side rails. Each is dovetailed front and rear and, as with the drawers, retain the majority of their glue blocks. Construction is similar to the drawers. The removable cornice molding is attached to an interior frame that slots over blocks secured to the upper case corners.
Intriguingly, a group of chalk inscriptions have survived on the inside of a backing board on the lower case which may eventually reveal the identity of the maker(s) of this press. While significant portions of what appear to be several names have deteriorated to the point of illegibility, the names ? O???, ?James? and ?Sobel? or ?Sabel? might be those of a cabinetmaker or of apprentices working on this press. An Otto James, Edward James and a James Segal were listed as cabinetmakers in Philadelphia records from the early 1800s while a John James, cabinetmaker and John Sable, ship?s carpenter were listed in Baltimore ca. 1796. Efforts to locate furniture firmly attributable to any of these men in order to compare shop practices have, to date, proven unsuccessful.
Condition and Materials: The press is constructed primarily of figured mahogany with poplar, pine and cedar secondary woods. Brasses and interior hardware appear to be original although the door hinges have been reset and it is possible that some of the screws securing the tray slide rails are modern replacements. The left, rear foot shows evidence of an old repair but appears to be original and the lower pads of each foot have small chips and repairs. An area of approximately one square inch at the upper left rear of the lower case and a one inch section of the upper right of the lower drawer beading have old repairs. Neither is significant or easily noticeable. Drawer and tray bottoms show the expected shrinkage cracks and the loss of a small number of glue blocks.
Price: Sold
Additional Photos
Doors Open
Detail – Front Foot
Detail – Cornice
