Welsh plate rack

[mart]

LOL !!  I could hear the drums beating and see the smoke signals Jacon4 was sending !!
Odd KC,, but I got the opposite feeling,,That it was more utilitarian !!  It never fails to amaze me how each of us see things different in a piece of furniture !!

[jacon4]

Well, though i am not an expert on this form, it's my understanding the open plate rack is the more traditional version of this form however, that does not mean it is an early piece. The reason i guess late victorian is, this piece has several design elements included which they loved to do during this era.

Jacon4, I bet you could hear me laugh out loud when I read "Earth to Martha".  Oh my goodness...nearly lost my breath!

Well yeah, lol, Mart is going to be sitting at her puter one day soon when BAM! it's gonna go dark and, it ain't comin back either! At that point i predict Mart will go to a retailer and kick herself after she realizes what shes been missing the past 10 years or so.

[mart]

LOL !!  Then you better watch Jacon4 because I will be sending those smoke signals to you !!
The plate rack was not what I was basing my opinion on !! The dovetails,, there are only 3,,as we get closer to 1900,, you more typically see 4 or more even if they are still hand cut !! The board width and color, fewer boards in the construction than later !! Machine milling added to number of boards used !! Its a very simple piece,, not a lot of frou frou (decoration) to it !! Just a piece meant to be used !! Or what I call a country primitive !! Just basic !!

[KC]

Mart, I think I need to expand on the utilitarian part.  The original Welsh Dressers had the plate rack but the bottoms were a series of drawers, cabinets/cupboards and a tabletop area for serving/prep. All parts were necessary for everyday use in the kitchen.  Later a pot board was added on the bottom to hold/display pots when storage was changed from totally functional storage to more food storage/prep friendly.  Over time, and depending on communities' needs, the functionality of the piece changed.  They became more ornate and less "food preparation/storage necessity".    

This piece is utilized for storage and display...but not a workhorse piece like they were in the 1600's, 1700's and early 1800's.  

Hope that helps.

[featherbird]

Thanks again for all of your input!
I've learned so much about the piece & era!
Any thoughts on a fair price to ask?

[mart]

That's the thing about this one,,I just do not see anything more than the pulls as ornate !! Of course that's just me !!

[jacon4]

Any thoughts on a fair price to ask?
I wish i could help you there but i just dont know the value in Canada. In the USA, probably 500-1000, some can sell for alot more i know but this is more a european piece. Wheres the brits in here? Maybe one will stop by and look.

[mart]

Haven`t seen Ipcress here in a long time !!  WE are running out of Brits !!  Maybe I can PM him,, he knows more about pricing there,, not sure about Canada !!  My feeling is that pricing there and here is about the same according to the few pieces I have looked at !! Some a bit more in Canada than comparable pieces here !!  I think your pricing is about right for both Jacon4 !!