18th Century Irish Georgian Cork Sideboard

About the Item

Presenting a gorgeous and very rare 18th century Irish Georgian Cork Sideboard of lovely neat proportions. Made in Ireland during the George III Era, circa 1790 and most likely made in the Southern City of Cork. A STUNNING Irish provincial piece from the Georgian Era! Made of solid mahogany, probably imported from Cuba and the secondary woods are oak (as one would expect). Beautiful dovetailing on the inside of the drawers. The ‘hints’ that this is in fact an ‘Irish’ piece are numerous. The ‘scallop shell’ on the center of the back gallery is unmistakably an Irish Georgian signature. The scalloped fans beneath either side of the central drawer are likewise an Irish signal. The shape, design and style is entirely consistent with similar pieces made in Cork at the end of the 18th Century. It has it’s original brasses which is fantastic. Lions Head Ring drawer pulls and stunning urn keyhole covers/escutheons. It has a solid gallery back splat (with central Scallop) and on both sides this ends in curved and carved scroll ends. Beneath the back splat their is a grooved plank section for holding plates etc upright. The server/counter top area is edged and banded with a carved rope style edging. The mid section consists of 3 drawers and 2 doors. The piece sits on 6 legs 4 to the front and 2 to the rear. The front legs are pillars starting at the top with an acanthus style scroll … extending down to another scroll carving directly above the reeded and fluted legs. The 2 rear legs do not have the same fluting detail. The 2 side doors open to reveal a simple one shelf storage area. One probably held a lead lined cellarette at one time. The piece is in excellent condition for it’s age and use. There are some minor aging cracks on the counter top on the left hand side. A small loss of molding to the right lower door. No original keys but we are getting replacements made. Bought in Surrey, England in 1999 by a Private Texas Collector and shipped to Texas. We have the original ‘sales invoice’ and the dealer sold it as a “Regency Mahogany Sideboard circa 1820’and told her that it was an English piece, for the sum of 3,400 GBP. Not only did the dealer not recognize the obvious ‘Irish’ signs, but also the fact that it was Georgian and not Regency. The sum paid for it then was considerably less than it’s real worth, as these pieces are ‘Highly desirable and collectible’ due to their rarity. Allowing for simple inflation on the price paid in 1999, this would convert to approx. $9,500 in today’s value. If you are a proud Irish-American with roots in cork, Then this is a ‘must have’! Dimensions: 47.75 inches Tall at highest point of back gallery (36 inches tall to the counter top) ,64.5 inches Wide, 22 inches Deep.

Dimensions:

Height: 47.75 in (121.29 cm)Width: 64.5 in (163.83 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)

Style:

George III (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Mahogany,Oak,Hand-Carved

Place of Origin:

Ireland, Republic of

Period:

Late 18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1790