1680-1720 Dresser & Rack
06 August 2020
Description

This is an L-shaped dresser and rack that was built in to the oldest house in the oldest town in England in 1680-1720. I bought it from the owner of Ye Old Neptune Inn in 1993. The size is 9'_6" x 6'_6" and 7'_10" high. It is made of oak, elm, ash, and popular. It is in very good condition.

Provenance

It was owned by the owners of the Old Neptune Inn, Peter and Margaret Horsman. I have an article "Period Property UK - A Colorful Past and Present" that talks about the inn. The Neptune Inn is listed as a "Grade l Historic Building." A very rare treasure, indeed.

Acquired from
Other
For sale
Yes
Answered within about 20 hours
By Delia
Aug 07, 12:47 UTC
Fair Market Value
$25,000 - $35,000 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hi Douglas,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. So that I may best assist you, can you please upload a few better images, including some detail shots showing the joinery and construction so I can verify if this is as old as it is claimed to be?

Thanks!
Delia

Douglas a. rapp Aug 07, 13:30 UTC

Peter Housman, the owner, wrote on the invoice, "A very rare late 17th / early 18th e 1680-1720 L Shaped Dresser and Rack. He is considered a specialist in 17th century furniture in "Period Property " article published in December 2002. Will get more pictures.

Douglas a. rapp Aug 07, 19:28 UTC

The above pictures conclude that this dresser & rack is pre William & Mary. Also, when I bought this antique I was with an appraiser, Euri, that was hired by the Queen to evaluate her furniture.

Douglas a. rapp Aug 07, 19:54 UTC

The pictures show butt joints, half lap joints, bridle joint corners, and trench joints. All old type joints.

Douglas a. rapp Aug 07, 23:31 UTC

Where is the apprasial?

Delia Aug 08, 23:18 UTC

Hi Doug,
The market for early Welsh dressers (the term for the combined two-part rack and base) has dropped in recent years from a high market in the late 1990s where these could reasonably be expected to bring $30,000-50,000; at the moment, early ones are more likely to bring $5,000-8,000 with exceptional ones selling between $10-15,000. I agree that yours is better but as with many semi-unique pieces, the risk is over-valuating these.
Based on the photographs and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A rare English Baroque oak and elm L-shaped Welsh Dresser
late 17th/early 18th Century
with ash and poplar secondary woods
PROVENANCE: previously built into the Old Neptune House in Ipswich, England, a Grade I listed property
$25,000-35,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary

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