Victorian Furniture

Please help ID this walnut washstand and writing table(?)

Started by JohnM · December 12, 2010 · 1 post

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Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started December 12, 2010 by JohnM · 1 post · discussion in 2010.

The price was right on this beautiful walnut pair we picked up yesterday in an antiques mall. Obviously, the smaller of the two is a washstand (the bowl set is later than the furniture), but what is the other piece -- a writing table? The high back and sides doesn't seem…

The price was right on this beautiful walnut pair we picked up yesterday in an antiques mall.  Obviously, the smaller of the two is a washstand (the bowl set is later than the furniture), but what is the other piece -- a writing table?  The high back and sides doesn't seem consistent with all other writing tables I've seen.  Is the high back and sides on the table just to match to the wash stand, or did the 'writing table' serve another purpose (holding towels and toiletries)?  The drawers are chestnut sides and back, and the bottoms are walnut.  The back board of the carcass is dovetailed to the sides.  Casters are brass.  I am guessing these to be 1840's?  Are these regional American -- Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana?  Thanks in advance for any insights.