What is this piece?

[Brenda G.]

I really hope that I am downloading this to the right place this time. I don't know what to call this piece. Every carving, hinges, knobs, spindle, etc. is carved different. Inside the walls of the shelves are carved on each side different. I was told that it might have been made by the Women Carver's of Cinn, Ohio in late 1800's. I bought it in Delaware, Ohio. Does anyone know anything about this piece.

[MThoy]

I've seen custom pieces made for a certain room or area of the house and I am getting that same feeling. It's like someone would build a hutch or china cabinet to someones' specs or personal request( a cabinet maker, perhaps?)

[Brenda G.]

MThoy, Thanks for the info. When I bought the piece, the shop thought it was a sample piece, because all the carvings & everything is different. I took this piece on trade in for some other things I sold this shop. I gave $500. for it & felt that I had almost stole it. It is a keeper. One of my favorite pieces.

[tomsantiquesetcetera]

Here's two names you can check out:
Dumb Waiter or Butler's Station.
I was reading about "dumb waiters" today and this looks like one. I think it may have been in a Butler's Station near a kitchen. This would give easy access to foods served at meals. I also know that dumb waiters are small elevators for lifting food, etc., but they are also a line of furniture. As for age I would guess 1850s-1920s. Nice pottery!

[Brenda G.]

Thanks Tom. I really value your opinion. I really like to keep very unusual pieces of furniture & this sure was. It also has a hidden drawer, to the right side of the piece. I like the Roseville Pottery, probably because I can't afford the more rare pottey. Ha Brenda

[Liz Bryman]

Brenda, when you write that "every carving, hinges, knobs, spindle, etc. is carved different," it leads me to believe that your piece is a so called apprentice entry for judging by a teacher/mentor master cabinet maker.

How well each detail was executed determined if the cabinet maker apprentice would pass the tests to become a cabinet maker and receive his diploma. The piece itself would have many different uses, mainly as storage for small items, probably in the kitchen or dining room. But its initial and main purpose was to showcase the skills of the cabinet maker apprentice.

Lovely piece! Surely one of a kind.

[Brenda G.]

Liz, I would say you are probably right. The piece is 56" wide x 60" high & made out of solid walnut & it is in perfect shape. Do you have any idea of value? Thanks, Brenda