An essential feature of every well equipped kitchen, the name derives from the board or table on which meat was 'dressed' or food prepared.

Over time, the design of the dresser has changed, even though the nomenclature is unchanged.

Dressers were particularly popular in Wales, northwest and southwest England, each type having strong regional characteristics.

First introduced in the 18th century, the dresser consisted of a base containing shelves, drawers and cupboards, and an open upper section, with stepped shelves known as the 'rack', for storing plates and other crockery.

Some dressers, particularly from Wales and northern England had panelled backs, while others have open backs so the wall behind the back of the upper section of the dresser is visible.

Alternatively the rack was sometimes attached directly to the kitchen wall rather than remain free standing upon the base, which explains why so many of them have since been more...

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A George III-style oak enclosed low dresser, Robert brown,…

A George III-style oak enclosed low dresser, Robert brown, Melbourne, late 20th century, rectangular, the top with moulded edge above seven drawers arranged around a pair of doors enclosing a cupboard, fluted quarter columns to the front corners, on ogee…

An Australian cedar kitchen dresser base, Bendigo, Victoria,…

19th Century Australian Cedar Kitchen Dresser Base

An Australian cedar kitchen dresser base, Bendigo, Victoria, 19th century, 84 cm high, 181 cm wide, 59 cm deep

Queen Anne style oak Welsh dresser base late 18th century…

18th Century Welsh Oak Dresser Base

Queen Anne style oak Welsh dresser base late 18th century English the rectangular top above two short drawers with brass handles and escutcheons, raised on four cabriole legs, height 85 cm, width 136 cm, depth 54 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney.

A huon pine dresser base, early 20th century, the plain…

Early 20th Century Huon Pine Dresser Base

A huon pine dresser base, early 20th century, the plain rectangular top above a pair of cupboards with arched panels, enclosing shelves, height 83 cm, width 168 cm, depth 57 cm, condition: the top has a long and a short crack to the edge, two on either…

Cedar dresser base late 19th century, full cedar with two…

Late 19th Century Cedar Dresser with Carved Fretwork

Cedar dresser base late 19th century, full cedar with two sliding doors, possibly Debney, Adelaide decorated with carved fretwork, scrolled Reliefs, height 72 cm, length 136, depth: 54 cm

George III mahogany crossbanded oak low dresser late 18th…

George III Oak Low Dresser with Crossbanding

George III mahogany crossbanded oak low dresser late 18th century, the rectangular top above a three drawer frieze with brass pulls and a shaped apron below, raised on square legs, height 77 cm width 185 cm depth 49 cm. Provenance: John Wilson Antiques,…

Huon pine three drawer farmhouse style dresser base on square…

Huon Pine Farmhouse Dresser Base

Huon pine three drawer farmhouse style dresser base on square legs

George II oak dresser base, possibly Welsh, c. 1750,…

George II Oak Dresser Base with Brass Handles

George II oak dresser base, possibly Welsh, c. 1750, rectangular top above three cross banded drawers with brass handles, over a well shaped apron, raised on cabriole legs, height 80 cm, width 200 cm, depth 51 cm. Provenance: The Collection of Lady Sybil…

An oak dresser base, English, 18th century, 84 cm high, 150 cm…

18th Century English Oak Dresser Base

An oak dresser base, English, 18th century, 84 cm high, 150 cm wide, 64 cm deep. Provenance: Property of a Gentleman, Melbourne

A George III oak and elm low dresser, English, 18th century. 87…

George III Oak Low Dresser, 18th Century

A George III oak and elm low dresser, English, 18th century. 87 cm high, 160 cm wide and 46 cm deep. Provenance: Private Collection, Melbourne