A Welsh oak and ash dresser mid-18th century

in two sections, the upper section with breakfronted cornice above a baluster gallery centered by a swinging door above a dentil-molded frieze and pierced foliate-carved apron raised on a pair of fluted pilaster supports enclosing three plate shelves, the projecting lower section fitted with four frieze drawers above two pairs of doors flanking an arched panel between fluted pilasters, on later faceted feet.  Minor repairs and restorations.

Reputedly made for Ysdytty Ifan, Bala, North Wales
Rhyd-y-Fan, (House) Bala, North Wales, since 1917
Acquired privately in the 1980s
The Parry Collection
Christie's, London, April 24, 1997, lot 249

Overall good condition with some restorations in places. The dentil molding to cornice with some small losses. A 9 inch section to the central cornice above above the swing door is replaced. Some losses and restorations to top left corner of cornice. The upper section appears to have a later upright support to the center of the three shelves. Hardware on two drawers replaced. Some warpage to the doors of the lower section with minor age cracks. Overall with usual scratches, scuffs and bruises.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This highly architectonic dresser is similar to forms associated with mid Wales, especially examples from Montgomeryshire which feature fluted uprights, one example is illustrated in T. Alun Davies, The Welsh Dresser and Associated cupboards, 1991, p. 38, fig. 33.  However, this dresser does not fit clearly into the sole categorization as it uniquely combines desperate design elements including fluting, pierced fretwork, dentil-molding, spindle-gallery and cupboards to the lower section.  This dresser was in a farmhouse called Rhyd-Y-Fan, Bala, North Wales since 1917 and reputedly had been made for a retreat in Bala called Ysdytty Ifan.