Help identifying antique hutch

[miamimando]

We have very limited documentation on this hutch.  It was supposedly built in 1730.  Any help identifying it would be greatly appreciated.

[mart]

 Welcome to the group !! First of all, how did you come to own this hutch ??  What are the things on the inside of the shelves ?? We need to see the dovetails on the drawers, the inside with the doors open, the back and the hinges on the doors !!  Hard to make a possible determination just based on the front !!

[KC]

Mart, I do declare, they look like brackets to hang rods in.

[mart]

That's exactly what I thought too !! Glad I am not the only one !!   Just want to be clear on it !!

[cogar]

Yup, with a rod in place ..... the shelf becomes a plate "rack".

[mart]

But Cogar,, look at the bottom shelf,,you can see a faint line at the back,,looks like a groove !! That's all it needs for plates !!  And since the brackets are so far forward,,don`t see why that would be needed !!

[cogar]

Here is a primitive “hanging” cabinet.

[Rauville]

Many of the early pewter cupboards were made with those "rods", although not all were removable.
http://www.cowansauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?id=142401

[mart]

Yes, I have seen the pewter cupboards !!   Seems the person posting this is not coming back ??

[jacon4]

This is a "Welsh Dresser", generally built in 2 parts with the upper portion being open, used to display china, dinner ware, etc. This one has chippendale (1770) design but i don't think this dresser is period.

[wilhenri]

Agree with all the above and looking at the base its possible to see a different colour wood beneath what looks like a coat of wood stain. So I am guessing its made of pine and may just be 100 years old. The top section looks far too crisp and the decorative bits look too fussy for an early piece. Sadly I think its a marriage of two pieces but I am no expert.

[mart]

I admit,, it looks more like a primitive pine cupboard from mid 1800`s to me !!

[jacon4]

https://www.google.com/search?q=antique+welsh+dresser&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=q0H3U6njJpedygSPm4GICQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAg&biw=1920&bih=955

The better examples are generally speaking made in europe as there was a much larger population of people who had houses to display fine china, 18th century america was still a pretty wild, untamed frontier type place.

[mart]

It is always possible that this came in back in the late 70`s when so much furniture was shipped here from the UK !!