Antique George III Era Mahogany Blind Door Linen Press Cabinet on French Feet

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With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional antique linen press. These … Read more With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional antique linen press. These cabinets became incredibly popular in England throughout the 1760's among wealthy patrons who could afford to commission cabinetmakers to build these grand storage cabinets from exotic mahogany imported from the rainforests of Central and South America. The grandeur of these cabinets quickly attracted the attention of wealthier gentlemen living in Colonial America and around the same decade we see the rise of these linen presses gaining popularity in homes closer to port cities from Coastal New England to Charleston, South Carolina. Outside of larger cities linen presses were constructed in the country generally from woods available to the respective regions as mahogany was both expensive and in limited supply. The first generation of George III period linen presses produced in England are generally regarded as the most superior examples in existence due in large part to the unparalleled skills of the cabinetmakers working for high society patrons.

This linen press is constructed from solid mahogany in three sections which include a detachable crown that rests above the main storage cabinet that in turn rests on the base section that consists of two short drawers over two full length drawers. The removable crown molding element is a rare and desirable feature which allows for safe and easy transport of the cabinet along with additional ease of assembly. The main cabinet features double blind doors with a center vertical molded brass partition between the doors. The doors have applied octagonal panel molding in the tradition of earlier Scottish cabinetmakers who had adapted this design from centuries old rituals where the curved corners represented the four changing seasons. The doors are attached to the original brass hinges and open to reveal a single adjustable shelf. The left side door still retains the original brass latches which work with a retracting pin that allows the door to shut tightly by sliding into the crown molding and lower base section.
The base cabinet is in excellent condition and features a finely scrolled base with French feet in the Hepplewhite tradition. The drawers are fitted with brass pulls, inset brass escutcheons, and brass locks. Each drawer features a cockbead molding accent around the drawer face and handcut dovetail construction with yew wood selected as the primary material. The underside of the case reveals centuries old glue blocks and oxidation indicative of an 18th century cabinet. The back of the linen press features panel construction and the original salmon red wash paint which is often found on early Georgian period furniture. The linen press measures 53 3/4" wide x 25 1/4" deep at the crown and stands 80 1/2" tall overall. The height up to the mid molding is 37 1/4" tall and the height with out the crown element attached is 76 1/4" tall. See less