A Sheraton Mahogany Canterbury

A fine Sheraton period mahogany boat shaped canterbury; having a carrying handle and a single frieze drawer, raised on turned legs terminating in casters.

Unusually this canterbury is stamped by the maker Ramsey and Co., Manufactory, No. 83 High Street, Poplar.

Canterburies were originally designed for holding sheet music and would therefore only have been owned by the wealthiest households. The quality typical of these objects can be seen in the use of mahogany for this canterbury's drawer linings.

Ramsey and Co. are listed in The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers with a date of about 1800. Later incarnations of the firm were to be found at 83, High Street, Poplar until about 1840.

Literature

The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers ed. G. Beard and C. Gilbert pg. 726