Clothes Press

Thomas Affleck

1760–90 · Mahogany, yellow pine, eastern white cedar, tulip poplar · The American Wing

Clothes presses, common in England, were rarely made in colonial Philadelphia. The design of this one was influenced by plates in Thomas Chippendale’s "Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director" (1754 and 1762 eds.). The doors of the upper section hide twelve drawers; those of the lower section, three sliding trays. The sliding shelf in between was for folding the clothes to be stored inside.

Artist

Thomas Affleck

Date

1760–90

Medium

Mahogany, yellow pine, eastern white cedar, tulip poplar

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1950