Washstand by Ross & Co.

The majority of campaign furniture makers made washstands working to the same principals as this one, although they used brass standard supports. Other than J.W. Allen, who illustrate a similar washstand in their advert of 1867, Ross are the only other makers known to favour the use of turned wooden supports. Indeed J.W. Allen's later adverts illustrate washstands with brass standards. However, we well know that Ross had their own way of doing things and this is perhaps what makes their work stand out from others.

This mahogany washstand is very similar to the one marked E. Ross also illustrated on this website. However, this one has a brass plague to the top shelf giving the later name of Ross & Co., with the address of 9,10 & 11 Ellis Quay. When dismantled the washstand breaks down into ten pieces, that is to say two shelves, four columns and four legs. It is probable that Ross didn't number the parts as they were interchangeable. However, the columns and legs are each numbered in tiny Roman numerals between one and four but this was probably done by a later owner. The marks are not made as you would expect by a cabinet maker and are very different to any known Ross numbering. Circa 1860.