Popular Woodworking 2007-10 № 164, страница 21

-- Arts & Mysteries --

by adam cherubini

Mysteries of 18th-century Drawers

Practical factors influence drawer construction.

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L_ ighteenth-century cabinetmakers constructed drawers in a variety of ways. The differences have thus far been attributed to either the period of construction or regional differences. Some differences appear to be functional improvements over earlier styles. In this article, we'll have a look at 18th-century drawer construction; I'll use this information to make the drawers for my standing desk.

Cockbeaded, Lipped or Flush

Eighteenth-century craftsmen used three styles of drawer fronts. I can't isolate any of these styles to a specific region or period. Cockbeaded drawers for example, were used

Cockbeaded. The thin strip of wood, outlining these drawers is called "cockbeading." The drawer front is typically rabbeted to receive the strips. The rabbet is never the full thickness of the drawer front. But neither is it small enough to avoid partially covering the fine dovetails joining the drawer sides to the front. Note that despite this being one of the finest masterpieces of the 18th century, its maker, Thomas Elfe didn't see fit to prevent the tapered gap at the top of the top drawer of the lower carcase.

throughout the 18th century. I suspect their usage corresponds to the use of veneered drawer fronts, which were present from late 17th-century to early 19th-century-style pieces. The cockbeading may have served to protect the fragile edge of the veneer. That said, I have seen examples of cockbeading applied to non-veneered drawers.

Lipped fronts are found on early to mid-century (American) pieces. Aesthetically, I see them as part of the baroque tradition of creating depth. The overhanging lips are often very small and fragile. Cracked lips are common. I've never seen a lipped lower edge.

Flush drawer fronts are not found solely

Lipped. Lipped drawer fronts mask the often-loose fit of the drawers in the carcase. It may be too hard for you to see, but I can just make out tiny wear marks where the drawer sides have rubbed against the drawer dividers of the top two drawers. This may have been caused by the nails attaching the drawer bottom to the sides.

on primitives or deconstructionist styles. In the William & Mary period, flush drawers were punctuated by double-arched mouldings. In later periods, flush fronts were used for pieces with curved or blocked fronts or where decorative stringing or banding was used to provide visual interest in lieu of contoured fronts.

While drawer-front designs were probably chosen using aesthetic criteria, it seems clear the choice wasn't made without considering the shape of the drawer front, or whether it was veneered or not. The drawer front design had to fit within the capabilities and constraints of the workshop.

Flush. The flush drawers of this William & Mary piece are punctuated by delicate double arch mouldings attached to the case front.

24 ■ Popular Woodworking October 2007

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