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Dresser Base from East Dorset. The front and top are of oak. The vertical elm slabs forming the ends are typical of much West Country furniture, as also is the elm bottom board resting on the floor without feet. The rack, now missing, was held in place by dovetails still visible on the top. Circa 1840

Coffer. Oak coffer showing typical West Country features. The top has a plain flat board, the ends are cut in a 'V' shape to form feet and the ends of the front are characteristically notched. The reversed lunettes carved on the front are a particular West Country feature. Second half of the seventeenth century.

Traveling Box (on top of the dresser). This box belonged to the grandfather of the novelist Thomas Hardy. We are told by Hardy that his grandfather, as a 'militiaman' carried the box on his back with his personal possessions when he 'marched across the downs to meet Napoleon'. Made of elm. Early nineteenth century. Courtesy of Dorset County Museum, Dorchester.

Archback Windsor Armchair from Yealmpton. This example with simulated bamboo turning. Bamboo decoration is not found on other English Windsors. The box form stretchers are found on all Yealmpton bamboo chairs. Early nineteenth century.

Child's Windsor Armchair. This chair was made in the factory of Thomas Orchard at Aldbourne, Wiltshire. Such chairs are said to have been supplied to numbers of primary schools in the area. Beech and ash. Circa 1900.

Stool From North Dorset (see below).

Oak Tripod Table. A simple rustic copy of a fashionable eighteenth century type, the shaped feet cut out of flat boards. From East Somerset. Circa 1790.

Child's Desk. An oak child's desk from a dame school in Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Of pegged construction with square tapered legs, which are also splayed. Circa 1800, the gallery round the top is probably later.

Box (top). A 'Bible Box' of shape and size typical of those from the West Country, decorated with chip carving. This kind of carving was common in many counties.The highly individualistic patterns on this example have been found on similar pieces in the area and may be the work of one carver. The bottom has been restored and the corners strengthened. Oak. End of the seventeenth century.

Blanket Box. An elm blanket box from East Somerset. Of simple construction, this may be the successor to the six-board coffer, which was not made after1800. Circa 1820.

Yealmpton Windsor Armchair. Archback Windsor armchair from Yealmpton. Though well known in America this pattern is unknown elsewhere in England. The shield shaped seat is deeply chamfered at the sides, as are similar American models. Early nineteenth century.