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December, 2018 The Antique Shoppe Page 11
Also the fall is a solid piece and not battened on the two side edges. Would that be
Questions & correct for a 1760 piece? They told me it was a high-end piece from the get-go but did
not valence the interior compartments and made a very plain door. Was I getting flim-
flammed? —Wendy L.
Common Sense Answers A. ends to prevent warping of the drop front. There are period desks illustrated
Most drop fronts from that period and later were made with “breadboard”

both ways in the Winterthur book “American Furniture, Queen Anne and Chippendale
with Fred Taylor Periods” published by Schiffer Books. I certainly would have expected it to be done that
way and would have specified as such but it is cheaper to make a single board fall than
to go to the trouble of making breadboard ends if that is not specified.
The alignment of the hardware is also optional. There are several 18th century
Dear Fred - An antique dealer friend has given me your address in the hopes desks illustrated in “Field Guide to American Antique Furniture” by Joseph Butler, Henry
Q. that you can tell me a little about this piece. I am especially interested in how Holt that are shown with the top drawer hardware pulled more toward the center and
old it is but also in anything else of interest that can be found. A metal plate in the not aligned with the rest of the pulls. This is especially the case when the drop front
drawer reads: “Kroehler Made, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, supports (the lopers) are slightly wider than normal and/or the top drawer is narrower
Stratford, Canada.” This was purchased in Southern Illinois from an old tavern going out than the rest of the drawers.
of business. I was told that it was part of a dining room set and that it was called a wine The placement of the hardware, the design of the prospect door and the
cabinet. It is good for stemware but not for holding wine bottles, however. scalloping of the interior were entirely optional depending on the skill, tastes, region
According to the web, there was a Kroehler company at one time in Peoria that I and style of the maker and today’s restorer has to be familiar with many styles. That
believe burned down. I have also located the current Kroehler company in Canada that doesn’t mean what you got is correct however. It sounds like you and the craftsman did
appears to make upholstered living room pieces. I have not contacted them because not have a clear mutual understanding of what was to be done and how it was to be
they don’t seem to be doing that done.
kind of furniture. Could all of these
Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or email them
references be for the same company? to me at info@furnituredetective.com
Again, if you have information or can Visit Fred’s website at www.furnituredetective.com and check out the downloadable “Common Sense
suggest further avenues to explore, I Antiques” columns in .pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE” is now available for
would be pleased. $18.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for $21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River,
Thanks. —Charlotte C. FL 34423
Fred and Gail Taylor’s DVD, “IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE”, ($17.00 + $3.00 S&H)
Charlotte - Your cabinet is are also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377 (9AM-4PM Eastern, M-F
A. actually known as a form of only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com. All items are also available directly from the
court cupboard. Court cupboards website, www.furnituredetective.com
were developed in France in the
17th century and were used to store
dinnerware on open shelves in the
dining hall. Over the years the open PLANT
shelves evolved into cabinets of
different types. Open shelves are still
called court cupboards. Units with CITY
closed portions on top and open
below are called “standing livery”
cupboards. “Livery” is an archaic term
for food and the closed portions were Becki’s Neat Old Stuff
used to store food. The last version is
called a “press” cupboard, which has (Vendor 22)
↑ This “wine cabinet” is actually an no open spaces, only drawers and AT
enclosed china cabinet in a form known doors. Yours is a press cupboard and MISS RUBY’S ANTIQUES
as a press cupboard. could very well have been part of a 119 N. Collins St.
dining set and was used for storage of
It was part of dining set from the 1920s. china and serving pieces. It was made 3
in the late 1920s or very early 1930s Plant City
and is considered to be a Depression piece. Your cabinet appears to be a very well made
unit, apparently of oak and other assorted hardwood. Offering furniture, primitives,
I am confused about the Kroehler label. The most famous company with the Kroehler collectibles and estate items
name was founded in Chicago (actually in Naperville) in the late 19th century. It became
one of the most powerful and well known upholstered goods houses in the country. 50% off most items
It manufactured upholstered goods on contract for both Sears and Ward and shipped
directly to the customer. The history of Kroehler is very well documented in Sharon on Wednesdays 3
Darling’s book “Chicago Furniture - Art, Craft & Industry 1833-1983” which is considered
the bible on the subject. However, nowhere
in that source is there ever any mention of
Kroehler making dining room furniture or BRANDON Somewhere In Time
all wood furniture of any sort. The original
company was dissolved in 1981. I have not
found any significant reference material on Brandon Blvd “Antiques - Collectibles & More”
another company by that name. Thanks for 75
writing and thanks for the excellent photos. 1 Kings Ave Parsons Rd The Shoppes of LaViva
Fred - I purchased a “rough” burled Lumsden Rd
Q. walnut Chippendale desk and 720 W. Lumsden Rd.
wanted to get it correctly repaired as the Brandon, FL
top drawer was missing as well as the fall. 301
I had it done on good faith but was a little Providence Rd 813-684-0588
disappointed with the work when I got it Lithia Pinecrest Rd
three months later. The brass pulls on the
top drawer are set in and don’t line up with Bloomingdale Ave Open Mon.-Sat. 11-5, Sun 12-5
the brasses below it. I was told this was Like us on Facebook: Somewhere in Time Brandon, FL
correct, but I’ve never seen one like that.

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