Marvellous Furniture

Description

This Arts & Crafts bedroom suite of wardrobe and dressing chest is made of well-figured walnut and has marquetry floral motifs, chequerband inlay, copper and brass handles and pierced split hearts. The wardrobe has two separate sections with hooks and rails (a later addition), each behind a panelled door with working lock and key, with two large and sturdy drawers below. The dressing chest has a tilting mirror and an arrangement of graduated drawers above a shelf.

The suite is probably the work of the cabinetmaking firm of Matthew Pollock and may have been retailed by Wylie & Lochhead in Glasgow. The locks are stamped 'R.C.& S.' for Richard Cooper and Sons of Birmingham and also 'V.R.' under a crown for the reign of Queen Victoria.

The wardrobe measures 153cm wide, 211cm high and 58cm deep. It breaks down into three pieces (cornice, main body and base) and the largest is 137cm wide, 147.5 high and 50.5cm deep.

The dressing chest measures 107cm wide, 151.5cm high and 51cm deep. The mirror and its superstructure can be removed from the chest.

Both items are in good condition with the top of the dressing table having been repolished. There are a few minor knocks and scratches in keeping with the age of the suite and the base of the wardrobe has, in the past, been troubled by woodworm that has been treated and has caused no structural damage. There is very minor foxing to the mirror.