Cupboard
Cupboard stained red, Mount Lebanon, NY
Description
Red-washed cupboard. The top has crown molding on the front and at one point along the sides as well apparent by the lack of stain along the top edges. The sides show a light band where peg rails were once attached. At the center of the front is the remnant of a lock mechanism: a circular cut out, lined with metal with a through-hole in the center. The front has two mortise-jointed doors with large forged iron H-shaped hinges. The door handles are turned pegs 2 1/4" in length. The doors are each held closed by a wooden piece of wood screwed into the cupboards front, but when twisted will open the doors. On the inside of the doors there is a wooden bracket screwed to the door. Inside there are three shelves bisected by a board creating six separate compartments. The middle compartments each have a small shelf support or drawer guide on either side. The back of the cupboard comprises two lap-jointed boards.
Notes
This appears to be the upper, cupboard portion of a cupboard over chest of drawers. The bottom of the piece is unfinished, and on the sides of the bottom are half dovetail grooves with which the upper and lower portions of the piece fit together. The door panels and H-hinges suggest that the piece was made quite early, possibly late 18th century.