Images(3)

Corner Cupboard

Period1800 - 1820

MediumCherry, hard pine, mahogany veneer, maple and birch inlays

Dimensions108 × 54.5 × 22.25 in. (274.3 × 138.4 × 56.5 cm)

InscribedA partially illegible pencil inscription on the back of the right hand drawer appears to read in part "-999 J G Hugh -- 86." An additional pencil inscription appears on the side of the right hand drawer "0 / 99."

ClassificationsStorage Furniture

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Henry Morgan Post in memory of her mother, Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1944

Object number1913

DescriptionA very tall corner cupboard in two parts. The upper section contains a broken scroll pediment, with a turned urn finial atop a central plinth ornamented with an oval inlay. The pediment scroll is highlighted by string inlays ending in circular fan paterae at the scroll terminals. A pair of arched glass doors contain ten panes each, the upper third following the curve of the door arch. They open to reveal a faded blue-green painted interior and three fixed shelves. The doors are flanked by pilasters delicately inlaid with curving leafy scrolls beneath curved tab panels. The corners of the upper case are also canted. The lower section also includes canted corners, and an applied waist molding with a checkered band of inlay above a row of three small drawers, all with inlaid edges. The left and right drawers are equipped with single brass oval pulls, while the center drawer has an inverted teardrop inlaid escutcheon. Beneath the drawers are two rectangular flat panel doors with central oval inlays and string inlays set into frames with light wood molded inner edges. Below the doors are two simple bracket feet which curve into a central inlaid half fan paterae skirt pendant.
Curatorial RemarksThe skirt of this very tall corner cupboard resembles that on many pieces of Maryland furniture. But the inlays and the use of cherry with mahogany veneer suggest a New Jersey origin. The center finial is a replacement, and there is evidence that the locks and inlaid escutcheons are later alterations. A wooden latch originally held the doors closed.NotesThe scrolling vines on either side of the double doors in the upper case have been laid out with a compass. They both terminate at the bottom in a stylized inlaid outline of a pitcher.

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