Pegwoman

[Pegwoman]

Seeing as ab

n interest was shown in the Bedlington terrier teapot I thought that I would share another of my grandmother’s teapots with you . 

i

[Canny lass]

That certainly beats Mrs Bucket’s Royal Doulton with its periwinkles! Absolutely wonderful! Was your grandmother a collector of Tea-pots?

Edited March 25 by Canny lass

[Pegwoman]

Think she just liked china . I have about twenty teapots ,various tea services amazing ribbon plates and loads of jugs all in a piece of her furniture , which I think is called a PRESS. My grandparents were married in 1906 and my grandad worked at the dr pit . Their home in shiney row was typical of the time filled with ornaments, or dust collectors as my mam called them . 

[Canny lass]

That is a PRESS - and a very beautiful one if I may say so. There was one in my childhood home as well, though not quite as elegant as yours. Do you know that they were originally intended to store linen, bed clothes, curtains and such. My mother told me that it was one of her 'jobs' as a youngster (and many other young girls too) to make small pleats in the tapes on pillow cases (used to close them) using the edge of a knife. All of these pillow cases would be placed on the shelves with the pleated tapes hanging outwards. When the family had guests they wanted to impress the doors of the press would be left open. I don't know if this was just something done in Netherton Colliery or if it was a general thing in the north east or even England as a whole.

[Pegwoman]

Thank you so much for the information Netherton isn’t far from Bedlington perhaps the families knew each other. I believe my grandmother had bedding in the drawers, but China in the top. Now the China  it’s still there and the drawers are full of family documents and correspondence from 1906 until 1960 . I am trying to upload it onto my iPad.  It is taking me ages as I get so caught up reading stuff that it my progress is dead slow stop. I have all the furniture that belonged to my grandparents apart from their beds. I just love it. And I am sure that your family press was just as beautiful. 

[Symptoms]

Your Linen Press looks to be made from Satinwood commonly used for this purpose as its natural oils deterred moths and other creepy-crawlies (fleas).  When I have a minute I'll upload some photos of my Satinwood bedroom press and dressing table for comparison ... similar carving.  When the fashion for presses ended many were converted into wardrobes but they lacked the depth (front to back) to accomodate clothes hangers on a rail like modern wardrobes, so hooks were usually screwed into the carcassing around the inside.  I also have a very large Victorian mahogany linen press in another bedroom which has some 'converted hanging space' but also retains internal drawers for folded clothes;  again, a photo to follow.  It's good that your linen press seems to be unaltered as much 'old' furniture has been repurposed. 

[Pegwoman]

Looking forward to seeing your photos. Apart from my granparents beds I have all their furniture, china and family correspondence and documents. James’s and Annie were married in 1906. James was from Longframlington, Annie formerly Nobley was from Barrington  unfortunately she had two younger brothers who drowned whilst skating on the pit pond . I have some disaster glasses which record the incident   Thank you for your information and comments about the press  

 

 

 

 

[Canny lass]

21 hours ago, Pegwoman said:

I am sure that your family press was just as beautiful. 

 

1 hour ago, Symptoms said:

I also have a very large Victorian mahogany linen press

Mahogany is how I remember the press in my home but I think it may have been veneer. It weighed a ton! I can remember the job we had getting it down the stairs and out of the house when we cleared it after my mother's death. Sadly, I think it went for firewood.

[Pegwoman]

Such a shame that you no longer have it. Another person has told me that they were made of satin wood and stained dark to look like mahogany.