WARDROBE, single drawer

Wooden Edwardian-style, single drawer wardrobe in three sections: cornice, body and drawer base. Door panel has inset mirror with curved top, an elongated brass door handle with unused key hole, an angular teardrop-shaped door knob and raised heart-shape decoration, corresponding door catch. Another lock and key hole are also extant. Drawer section has 2 brass handles similar style and pattern to door handle, and one keyhole near centre top of drawer. Inside wardrobe body has four shelves on left, four brass hooks on inside top back, two brass double coat hooks on inside right, and one four pronged hood attached to inside upper top.
Back of wardrobe has 'RB Davies' handwritten in white chalk lightly on upper section and more easily readable on lower section.
'RUTHERFORD/ 13-4-76' handwritten in black marker pen on cream paper label affixed with brown tape to back of wardrobe.
'SOMES WARWICK WESTERN AUSTRALIA/ ALL AUSTRALIA REMOVALS/ NAME [RUTHERFORD in blue ink] No' in green lettering on small cream sticker affixed near centre back.

Timothy Harris, colonial furniture researcher, made the following comments 28 April 2009:
The carcass in three sections. The front consists of jarrah frame with Tasmanian blackwood inset panels with Tasmanian myrtle inset mouldings. Carcass sides are joined planks of blackwood from 2 boards with relieving grooves on outside faces. The back is made from European tongue and groove pine boards. The dove tailed drawer with drawer slips and a central dove-tailed muntin. Secondary timber in drawer - Tasmanian myrtle?
All brass hardware appears intact and original. Door lock may have been added at a later time? door lining is one plank of sugar pine.
The overall design of this wardrobe conforms to the Edwardian pattern, however, certain construction aspects show an amateur's attempt at copying the commercial model.Cheifly lacking is the cornice and plinth. The maker has placed some importance on matching the grain in the front panelling.
Additional comments 10 May 2009:
The secondary timber used in the drawer is believed to be American Whitewood.
The unusual panelling to the central door is probably due to a mirror plate of the appropriate size not being available, this may also account for the lock on the door not corresponding to the door latch, again lack of availability of the correct size.

Department: 

Collection

History Collection

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