A George II mahogany press-cupboard of architectural form, mid-18th century

Traditionally this architectural press-cupboard has been given to David Wright of Church Street, Lancaster based on a signed kneehole desk now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (no. W.8–1942). A perhaps more likely candidate is Charles Douglas, a cabinet-maker employed as the house carpenter at Yester House between 1732 and 1749. Douglas was sent to London at the behest of the Marquess of Tweeddale to procure tools and pattern books, and according to family tradition was the first cabinet-maker to use mahogany for furniture in Scotland (see Francis Bamford, A Dictionary of Edinburgh Furniture Makers, Leeds, 1983, p. 60, pls. 19, 20 & 21A).