ginia and North Carolina. Standing, or wall cupboards, were made in Hepplewhite and Sheraton styles, but their number is so limited that it is useless to define their characteristics, as they had been superseded by the corner cupboard in these periods.
The corner cupboard, so much desired today, was introduced about 1710, and was changed to the moveable type in the 1750's. These are found in quantities throughout the South, ranging from the built-in type to the elaborate mahogany examples. The earliest specimens have the open top with shelves and paneled doors below. The sides of the top opening are scalloped in ogee scrolls, and the shelves are cut in design.
Some of the built-in cupboards made in Virginia and Maryland between 1730-1740, are very fine, with the shell top, although the workmanship varies. Often made by local or traveling craftsmen, the cupboard took the architectural features of the room in which it was built. The quality of the work was, in fact, often determined by the amount of money being put into the building of the house, or the cupboard. The moveable corner cupboard gave the maker further opportunity to display his skill, and to make a base and cornice more elaborate. Many fine examples in mahogany are found, and these were made with Hepplewhite and Sheraton characteristics, such as inlay and tracery. With the Empire period the corner cupboard was declared obsolete in style.
PLATES
PLATE I. Top—Court Cupboard—Oak. (Virginia—c. 1620-1630). Two views of a cupboard found in the vicinity of the first settlement at Jamestown. According to its style as compared with the English examples, it was made in the first quarter of the seventeenth century. The top, which is original and pegged, is of Southern pine, as is the interior lining. The drawer below the doors, one of the doors and the shelf in the base were missing. This is one of the earliest pieces made in America, and is believed to be the oldest piece of furniture of American origin. (Photograph, courtesy of J. L. Brockwell).
PLATE I. Bottom—Court Cupboard—Oak. (Virginia—c. 1640). This old court cupboard has much about it which speaks for itself. It is of no moment to give space to a study of the type for the benefit of the average collector, as little chance stands out before him for such as it is. Such cupboards as are known, are rarely offered for sale, and those that are known are very few. This cupboard, originally from Yorktown, has an interesting history. It was removed to North Carolina during the Revolutionary War, and was owned by Isaac Collier whose wife, Anne Vines Collier, inherited it from her family. Her father, Thomas Vines, mentioned the cupboard in his will. Isaac Collier was a prominent colonial gentleman who had four sons in the Continental Army. One son, Myhill Collier, married Tabby Harrison, daughter of Benjamin Harrison, the Signer. The cupboard is believed to have been the property of Nathaniel West, brother of Lord Delaware. (Property of Mrs. J. L. Brockwell).
PLATE II. Cupboard Enclosing Chest—Pine. (Virginia—c. 1680-1700).
