Washstand

Object/Artifact

Saco Museum

Name/Title

Washstand

Entry/Object ID

2014.239.1

Description

Two-tiered corner washstand with a bow front. Low shaped backsplash with a small corner candle shelf. The upper shelf has one large opening for a wash basin, flanked by two smaller tumbler holes. The lower shelf has no drawer. On three legs, a straight rear leg and two front legs that curve outward at the foot. Grain painted in red and black to resemble rosewood.

Made/Created

Date made

1800 - 1815

Dimensions

Height

38 in

Width

13-1/2 in

Depth

15-1/4 in

Material

grain painted pine

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Object Label

Label

Basin Stand, 1805-1815 probably Maine grain-painted pine Saco Museum collection

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

George Hepplewhite commented in his Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide (1794) that the corner stand was "a very useful shape, as it stands in a corner out of the way." In his 1803 Cabinet Dictionary, Thomas Sheraton further advised that the front legs of corner basin stands such as this should "spring forward, to keep … [the stand] from tumbling over." The use of pine that has been grain painted makes this basin stand a more affordable alternative to one of expensive imported mahogany. The top has a large opening for a washbasin and two smaller ones for tumblers; the small shelf above would have held a candlestick.