Dressing Table, Acc.# 87, Cat.# 607.

Facts

Also known as a lowboy in colonial America. This is an original piece in a Queen Anne style manufactured in 1750. It is made of oak with Dutch feet, bail handles, and locks.

Colonial History

The lowboy was placed near the highboy in a chamber of a plantation home. It served as a dressing table to include the use of an easel mirror, jewel boxes, candlesticks, and salvers. The lowboy was used by both men and women.

One of the rituals for the established plantation owners was to powder and adjust ones wig. Men and women both wore powdered wigs to alleviate the torment of head lice. The powdered wig was seldom cleaned, but often powdered to reduce the stench of months, and even years of accumulated human grease.