With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional and rare antique washstand. We have perhaps owned several hundred antique washstands throughout five decades of operations as we have continually purchased the contents of households with large collections of antiques. We can fondly recollect many of our favorite examples however none of the washstands that we have owned previously had anything in common with our present offering. What is so exemplary about this remarkable antique is that it is one of the most unique and interesting forms which we have ever come to own. In a market where items of rarity and importance become commonplace it is truly refreshing to find something so wonderfully original.
This antique washstand is a rare southern example perhaps made in Virginia or North Carolina. As this stand is without any comparable variations, we can only make an educated guess as to where exactly the piece was originally made. One theory we concluded is that since the scrollwork gallery closely resembles a triple ocean wave design that perhaps this example originated in the Tidewater, Virginia region as it is similar stylistically to much of the furniture know to be from that region and a bit more sophisticated in form to the furniture associated with the Piedmont region and the lower Southern states.
The entire piece is comprised of a wonderful grade of walnut with an excellent selection of figured grain designated for the top of the stand. The top of the gallery features an arched crest which is dovetailed on either end and beneath the triple scrollwork designs are prominent cupid's bow shaped scrollwork patterns. The frame is secured with pegged joinery construction and the single drawer features hand cut dovetail work along with a hand chamfered drawer panel that displays centuries of untouched oxidation. The four turned pilasters are comprised of southern yellow pine that rest over the four individually turned feet. These turnings are indicative of the Sheraton design influence that took hold in America at the same time as the Chippendale and Hepplewhite design periods during the second half of the 18th century. Our only condition note is an old repair to the top left of the scrolled gallery which was expertly restored. The stand measures 19” wide x 18 1/4” deep x 36 1/2” tall.
