In the Shaker room of the American museum in Bath (UK) is a small "Tailoresses' Counter". It's a nice piece, a small chest of drawers with an interesting top. The top hinges down at the back, so that it can sit against a wall when not in use. Being an ingenious Shaker product, the top also _slides_ when in use, so that it's symmetrical on the chest and there's no need for a locking gateleg under the hinged flap (the hinge is now locked by being on top of the chest body). Effectively the folding part of the rear flap is "two overhangs" deep, and the whole top slides forward when in use.
I'm looking for drawings for this piece, for a possible reproduction. I don't know if there are any, although there are photographs in several of the usual references (e.g. Shea). If I can't find them, then I'll head off and draw it myself.
There are drawings of something similar in a couple of Handberg's books (actually two different drawings, as they measure the back flap differently). This is described as being from the "Andrews Collection" though, not Bath. I've also heard that some of the Bath pieces were bought from the Andrews collection in the '60s.
I may well measure and re-draw it properly anyway, as Handberg doesn't draw the details of the top slide mechanism.
Does anyone know:
- If the Bath piece is indeed the Andrews piece?
- If there's a drawing of the Bath piece?
- Where these piece(s) were made?
- If Bath will ever put the top back on their wood stove the right way round!
Thanks