Primitive hutch and washstand

[nikkileake]

Need some information on a primitive hutch and washstand. Each inherited. I am curious about their value and story. I haven't been able to ascertain much as yet. Any thoughts are helpful. Thanks!

[nikkileake]

washstand picture

[mart]

Can we have some better pics !! Full shot from the front, if there is a drawer one of the dovetails, hardware would also help.

[frogpatch]

Is it me? I can't make heads or tails out of that picture. Where is the hutch?

[cogar]

The picture is sideways with the "towelbar" on the left.

It looks to be a 2-door, single board construction.

I don't see any hutch either.

I lightened up the picture,

[KC]

From the looks of this picture it is a cabinet with a towel bar? or a back bar.

Can you please post a picture of the cabinet opened?

[mart]

She said washstand but I admit,,looks more like a cabinet to me too !!

[greenacres]

Looks like something you used as we would say " Down the basement". If you had a washroom in your basement or laundry style room you may use this. I could be wrong, but that to me is what it looks like.

[cogar]

Now that piece looks to me like a "re-purposed" step-back cupboard base ..... that someone added that funny looking towel-bar to.

Like so ..............

[KC]

Yep cogar...a very close resemblance!

[mart]

Well, it isn`t a manufactured piece !! Its either home made or repurposed !! Not unusual to do either one if it was needed  !!  The person hasn`t been back to give info or more pics !!

[cogar]

That is typical construction for a pre-1900 “home made” cabinet base because all one needed to build it was a hammer, nails and a saw. A ruler or tape measure was not needed.

One first determined the width of the cabinet they were going to build (a stick of wood cut to length would work)….. and then the width of the 2 side and 1 center face boards were determined by the width of the single-board doors.

The 2 single-board doors were made first ….. and then the 3 face boards were cut so that the width of all 5 boards would equal the desired width of the cabinet. (length of stick)

And that is why you will never find 2 of those cabinets with the doors and face boards being the same width.