Featured Age and value of this antique sideboard buffet ? Federal or Empire?

Thank you for all of the great help on this piece. I came across this jelly cupboard with the front and leg style somewhat similar. Size wise, the piece I posted seems close to the jelly cupboard range. What makes a cupboard a "jelly cupboard"?

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/701231_2-early-1800-s-sheraton-jelly-cupboard-white-pine-2

 

A jelly cupboard is a 2 drawer 2 door utility type cabinet found in 19th century kitchen/pantry locations used for storage. Usually built from poplar or pine, solid board construction and often painted, usually not built out of cherry/walnut/mahogany or other expensive cabinet woods for obvious reasons.
Here is one at Harp, Poplar C 1850

https://www.harpgallery.com/shop/item26505.html

 

Thanks for the good explanation. That sure helps. Interesting on what woods where used where for a homes furnishings back then. So, the piece I am asking about being made out of Cherry wood, was likely made for a "better" room of the home then it sounds like. More likely may be some variation of a sideboard then?

 

Yes, being built for utility, jelly cupboards would normally not be built out of high dollar cabinet woods, no one would see them anyway, what's the point?
Also they tend to be taller, i think the example above is 51 inches tall

I'd guess on yours, it would exactly match dimensions of dressers manufactured of the period on a particular dresser line but instead of drawers below they put in doors/shelves, i have no idea why but, there must have been a reason!

 

Thanks!

 

I ended up purchasing this piece and have a few more photos to show. Handmade with the back and doors and bottom of drawer hand planed ? Early machine made screw? There had been modifications inside. And three screw holes on the top back as if something had been attached there also. What do you make of it all? Would this date it a bit earlier? Thanks for all the help on solving the mystery on this piece.

 

No, not really, steam power came in during the 1830s but by 1840s and beyond, furniture in USA was machine made. The sawing, planing, drilling, etc was done with steam power.
They did have issues, drawer boxes for example that resisted machine processes, drawer boxes were done by hand until 1900.

 

Thanks for the help. Do the inside pictures look like it did indeed have drawers originally or else different shelving set up? Slots in the back = first photo, and then the double wooden rectangular areas near the front doors = last photo.

 

It's hard to say with photos only, old furniture requires an in person examination to know for sure. It would not surprise me though if it was converted from a dresser/chest of drawers. This could have been done at the factory where built or later.

 

One thing i do notice though in last pic, the shelves are notched which normally is not done for shelves in a cupboard configuration and circular saw marks on stiles below hinges.

Again, those are odd and seem to serve no function in construction, removed drawer blades perhaps?
And the line and nail hole inside in same photo , removed drawer runners perhaps?
This is all guessing of course and really doesn't matter much i don't think value wise.

 

My best guess ( which is all one can do with photographs) is, converted from a chest of drawers. The form, dimensions, interior pics all point to a conversion and now that i think about it, not at the factory, why put in drawer blades/runners and remove? they wouldn't.
This form of dresser was popular a very long time in America, 70-80 years, a very long time for any style to remain popular.

Here is an example that just sold last week for $125. ( and NO! it ain't empire, lol)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/80770272_circa-1840-s-american-empire-chestof-drawers



And this was the "LOOK" they were after, same form but totally different as well

 

Last pic is pretty definitive that this has been converted from a chest. They did a nice job but not something you see routinely done.

 

Yeah, agrees. The good news is, I don't think value is affected much if any. This furniture just isn't popular at the moment and a bargain in most markets.

 

LOL, changes BACK! to my first thought, dresser converted at some point for unknown reasons

 

Interesting info. and help here. I paid $200 from a private party for this piece and they said that they had bought it about 15 years ago from a dealer for $1,000. I really like the early to mid 1800's furniture, so feel lucky to be able to buy it at low prices now.

 

I think you did OK, looks to be in good condition & the remodeling was professionally done. It doesn't matter what's in fashion, what matters is does the piece move you emotionally.

 

Or, as a decorator lady i know keeps saying,
"I don't care about having antiques, i care about having interesting things to live with"
That sums it up pretty well i'd say.

 

: )

 

Hi there- I saw this the other day and said wow. I have a similar one in my living room With only a top drawer also. Pics to follow I hope. View attachment 253572 View attachment 253573 View attachment 253572 View attachment 253573

 

I will try again