Featured Not sure what I’ve bought, but I like it??

I’ve just purchased my first ‘antique’ with a view to sympathetically restore (repair a few little splits and then refinish). I bought this as a “Victorian drinks cabinet” but it has a few quirky features that I can’t quite figure out what they are nor what they would have been used for.

So I guess what I’m asking is,
a) is this actually Victorian
b) was this originally made to be a drinks cabinet, if not what was it’s original function
c) what is the little brass catch on the inside?

I’m happy to provide more pictures if needed and any help that can be provided would be appreciated.

 

Welcome Scott.Folks here will want to see yr pics posted 'Full Size' w/ brighter lighting & more details re construction.This is a very sharp group & quite enjoyable site.

 

I thought the picture size was going to be an issue. Let me try again and upload some better pictures

 

I am not entirely sure what you have either. Looks like it has been modified along the way. As configured, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have the door on the front, assuming the deep well is for bottles. Something is certainly missing where the odd latch inside is. Does look old. Where did you find this?

 

Welcome, Scott.

When you upload your photos, there are two options shown, just above the resulting list of files - "Thumbnail" and "Full Size". Please select the full size option, which will display your pictures in a larger format here on the thread. To do this with your last post, select "Edit" (just below your post, on the right), then "More Options", and then select "Display all as Full Size" (or something like that). For future posts, just select full size in the beginning (you won't have to go back through editing.)

Nobody knows why thumbnail is the default option, but we all go through this learning how to best use the site.

 

Thank for the reply, I found it on eBay, it was being sold by a hospice in Lancaster.

The small draw at the bottom has what look like hand cut dovetails (if that matters/makes any difference to identification).

I agree with that the front door does seem a little redundant, but from the marks on the inside it seems like there was another panel where the felt covered one is now.

I wonder if the small catch on the inside could have supported perhaps a removable ‘board’, perhaps a little card table as it would have sat flush and the lid(s) became a sort of personal table for drinks or winnings??

I do like it’s quirkiness.

 

*I think I’ve solved the issue and edited the sizes*

I was given 4 options of small, medium, large and original size. I originally posted using medium and then resposted in large. The file size was too big when opting for ‘actual size’.

 

This doesn’t feel Victorian to me. The massing seems more early to mid-20th Century. I have no idea what the brass catch is for. Seems more like a smoking stand combined with something else, maybe a game table, maybe for liquor. A bit of a mystery!

 

Nice pics Scott.No one here posts their current country of residence,but it helps to know where an item came from-it can assist with identification/provenance.
@Ghopper1924 @verybrad -do those dovetails look 19th century hand cut or were they also employed in the 20th century ?

 

I am thinking possibly older.... Georgian period. Hepplewhite style.

Searching along these lines, I was able to find some beau brummell cabinets in this configuration.

Late 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Inlaid Beau Brummell Side Cabinet | Chairish

This one has been converted to bar use.....

Late 18th Century Georgian Mahogany Beau Brummell Cabinet Now Converted To A Dry Bar #206350 | Black Rock Galleries

 

Well done Brad !Definitely something missing from the top.Why have a lock on the cabinet door when they could just open the top? I think its a washstand of some sort.

 

Sure, I’m based in the UK.

 

Wow that’s some impressive and rapid research! Thank you for this. It’s great to see how it should look

 

Beau Brummel converted bar cabinet for $145 ?! Seems a tad low even w/ a conversion,of course here in the States anything 18th century seems a miraculous survivor-UK prob not.

 

I paid £20 ($25) for this item

 

This one has a pop-up mirror that utilizes a small catch on the left side to keep it up. Kind of hard to see but, if you look at all the pics, you can see it.

Beau Brummell Mahogany Gentleman’s Wash Stand - Ruby Lane

 

.... and another with a catch.



Antique English Mahogany Gentleman's "Beau Brummell" Wash Stand with M – BLOOMSBURY FINE ART & ANTIQUES (bloomsburypdx.com)

 

I guess this now begs the question of what is the responsible way to proceed with any form of restoration.
Do I leave it in this configuration and simply make the small repairs and refinish (celebrate the journey it’s had over the years) or look to revert it back to something closer to its original condition/usage?