Dresser and contents from Cil-y-cwm, 18th century

Description

Oak dresser dated c.1780, with brass and iron furniture. Height 215 cm, width 197 cm, depth 64 cm. This Georgian dresser is an imposing piece of furniture that once completely filled a wall in a farmhouse in Cil-y-cwm. The oak dresser has an open potboard, three drawers in the base and a superstructure with three shelves. It was made at the end of the eighteenth century, probably by a local maker. The rounded projections at the two corners of the base are a feature seen in later dressers made in the area. The maker of the dresser has exaggerated its appearance by building a shelving superstructure that is wider at the top than at the bottom. In addition, the sides of the superstructure taper towards their bases. It is these features which gives this dresser its imposing character. The dresser was bequeathed to Carmarthen County Museum with its original china. Although an 18th century piece of furniture, the ceramics are all from the 19th century. The willow pattern dinner services, copper lustre jugs and hand painted gaudy wares were probably made in Staffordshire. There are 13 meat plates, 22 dinner plates and 39 jugs on the dresser.