An Early 19thC Regency Painted Pine Press Cupboard Simulating Figured Maple c.1820

Origin: English
Period: Regency
Provenance: Christopher Peters Antiques 1999
Date: c.1820
Width: 51.5” at cornice
Height: 83”
Depth: 22” (all at extremities)

The handsome Regency period pine press cupboard in two sections, retaining its original painted decoration simulating richly figured maple to ebony line decoration, the warm honey-coloured ground skilfully grained and worked with scattered knots and figuring, the architectural mouldings picked out in contrasting dark brown and black, to an architectural upper section with a moulded projecting cornice above a pair of fielded panelled doors, each arranged with four deeply moulded rectangular panels, the mouldings picked out in black against the warm ochre ground to a lower section being arranged as two short over two long drawers, fitted with ebonised turned knob handles, the interior now acting as a wardrobe space and raised on shaped bracket feet, the whole surviving from the first quarter of nineteenth century England.

The original press interior has subsequently been adapted for use as a wardrobe, with the former sliding trays removed and a brass hanging rail fitted and thus evidence of the original tray runners remains internally. The alteration is practical and unobtrusive and makes it a useful piece for contemporary use. The painted surface displays extensive age-related wear, rubbing, scratches, knocks and small losses throughout, all entirely sympathetic to its age and contributing considerably to its appearance. There is some old movement and minor separations to the carcass and the ebonised knobs appear well suited to the piece and have considerable age.

Dating to around 1820, the cupboard belongs to a particularly attractive strand of Regency country furniture in which relatively straightforward pine construction was elevated through painted and line-decorated finishes, in this case, the exotic nature of maple. The beautifully aged ochre ground, with its black outlining and accumulated wear, is especially successful here and has the wonderfully dry, untouched quality increasingly sought in early painted furniture. Its provenance is also noteworthy, having formally been purchased from Christopher Peters Antiques in 1999.

A superb piece of early nineteenth century painted country house furniture: architectural, wonderfully proportioned and possessing an exceptionally good untouched-looking surface, with the conversion from linen press to wardrobe making it considerably more practical without compromising the historic character of the exterior.