Washstand

1800-1815

and later

Measurements

31-3/4 in x 17 in x 16-3/4 in

Materials

Mahogany, maple inlay, light and dark wood inlays and stringing; white pine (drawer front and interior woods), tulip poplar (drawer sides and drawer bottom)

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1958.3276

Condition Notes

see "Comments" section

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The level of ornament on this washstand—a functional piece of furniture for a bed chamber or other non-public room—raises a question of its authenticity.  No obvious signs of alteration appear, but it may have been converted from a two-drawer stand.  The small shelf on curved supports seems small and insubstantial for a water pitcher and to have survived decades of use.  The three smaller holes for soap dishes number one more than usual, and the holes vary slightly in diameter and, unlike other washstands, are not cut accurately.  The board separating the washbowl and soap dishes from the drawer below shows even oxidation on the top, which seems problematic given where it is placed.  The upper drawer is a false drawer front.