CF9

General Description: One of a near pair of dwarf cabinets, late 19th century, painted all over to simulate figured walnut, each with a moulded top over three panelled doors, shelves within, on bracket feet. (Bowett, Adam, 2013)
: These are late 19th century, of indifferent quality. They were probably made well after the collection was transferred to Plymouth Proprietary Library in 1853. The tops have been cut in the centre to accommodate a semi-circular pillar (?) or other intrusion, and the feet of the lower cabinet have been adjusted make it the same height as the other. The ‘scumbled’ or imitation walnut finish is probably original. A plywood false top currently covers both cabinets, concealing the cut-outs and enabling display cases to be placed on top. (Bowett, Adam, 2013)

Each cabinet is made as a single box, dovetailed at the corners. It is subdivided by two vertical partitions dovetailed or tenoned into the top and bottom boards. The doors are panelled, the frames joined by mortise and tenon and hung on iron butt hinges with impressed mark BALDWIN. The internal shelves are adjustable, supported by battens resting in ‘saw-tooth’ type strips fixed to the sides. The top has an applied edge moulding of solid wood. Base moulding and bracket feet are fixed with battens and glue blocks and perhaps screwed.

, 1875 c. - 1900 c.

19 century (late)

Named Collection: Cottonian Collection