Clothespress

Dateca. 1770

MediumBlack walnut and yellow pine.

DimensionsH: 56 5/8" OW: 49 1/2" OD: 23"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1950-351

DescriptionClothespress with flat, rectangular top molded on sides and front; straight sides; back composed of four unfinished pine boards fielded on outside; front composed of two large doors hinged at outside on original hinges; front of each door composed of one single fielded panel; right front edge of left door rabbeted to receive molded edge of right door; center of front edge of both doors fitted with brass ecutcheons; escutcheon on right fitted with original box lock; interior fitted with four plain, removable shelves; high, molded base with four high, straight bracket feet with molded upper edge. Paneled back. Attached to the bottom are long strips of yellow pine which support the base molding. A close look reveals that these strips have saw kerfs cut through them. The bottom of the base molding is also kerfed, but they do not continue through the front of the molding. These kerfs serve the purpose of allowing expansion and contraction of the wood as it responds to humidity changes that cause their sides or bases to split, or that break their glued joints. The paneled back serves the same purpose and also prevents gaps from developing between the boards when extreme shrinkage occurs. The composite blocking of the feet also has this advantage, and the fact that the grain runs in the same plane as that of the brackets gives them a compatible ratio of expansion and contraction. The foot construction provides mroe strenght than the single vertical block more commonly used in cabinetwork from other areas. These refined construction techniques, virtually unknown in New England and Philadelphia, are also seen in Norfolk examples and are found on urban English products.Mark(s)None found.ProvenanceThis piece descended in the Galt family of Williamsburg to Mary Ware Galt Kirby, a member of the family, which included Dr. John Minson Galt.