Dressers
The dresser, with cupboards and drawers in the lower section and shelves above for display, developed from the 1600`s court cupboard and buffet. They are homely pieces of furniture, designed for practicality, and were usually made by local carpenters to the specification of the customer. In Britain there are many regional variants. The differences do not significantly increase desirability unless a piece is being sold in the area in which it was made. What does affect value is an un-restored polished finish, and size. Small examples are obviously more practical than some of the huge pieces that sometimes covered a whole wall of the family room. In America, the dresser was normally made of pine with painted, grained decoration. Few examples have survived in a country whose population was still highly mobile at this stage in its history.
Oak Sideboard or Dresser
This is a good example of something between a sideboard and a dresser. It does not incorporate the traditional functions of a town sideboard, but in country houses with no 
formal dining room, it would have been used for display, serving and storage. Cabriole legs can be seen on examples made at the end of the 1700's, although square, tapered legs were more fashionable by this time.
formal dining room, it would have been used for display, serving and storage. Cabriole legs can be seen on examples made at the end of the 1700's, although square, tapered legs were more fashionable by this time. c.1750
213.5 cm wide
George III Oak Dresser
A simpler variant of the older example shown here, this dresser was constructed with an open base, with a bottom shelf on which to store large cooking pots, milk churns and flour bins. Not every dresser has a rack, and some bases have been “married” later to a rack. Always check the timber on both parts to confirm the pairing is genuine.
c.1800
193 cm wide
George III Oak Dresser
This is a good, solid oak dresser of the late 1700's, made in the country for a farmhouse. As well as being used for storage and for serving, it provided plenty of space on which to display the family pottery and pewter plates.
c.1770
201 cm wide
213.5 cm high
George III Oak Dresser with Rack
c.1770
165 cm wide
George III Oak Dresser with Rack
Comparing the two examples of standard late Georgian dressers shows that big is not necessarily better. The small and nicely proportioned dresser also has a good, red colour, whereas the larger dresser is less practical as well as being paler and plainer.
c.1770
211 cm wide
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