How do you move them?

You'll transport them in two separate trips. The top cupboard section sits loose on the base frame, held steady only by its own weight or a small internal wood lip. Always lift the top straight up and off before trying to move the piece through a doorway. Carrying the whole thing fully assembled puts dangerous stress on the fragile base legs.

I live in a house with very uneven floors, so will a tall legged piece like this wobble around too much?

Uneven floors do cause problems for rigid wooden bases with multiple legs. An antique cupboard on stand relies on all four or six legs making solid contact with the floor to remain stable. You can fix a minor wobble by sliding a small wedge or leather offcut under the hovering foot. If the piece rocks heavily, you might need to adjust its position in the room to find a flatter patch of floorboards.

Can they hold heavy plates?

They're mostly robust enough to hold standard modern tableware. The solid oak examples built by country joiners take heavy loads without trouble. Veneered walnut pieces need a gentler touch. The interior shelves on those are often much thinner, so you have to spread the weight around.

The one I am looking at has doors that stick halfway open and squeak loudly, is there a way to fix it?

Sticking doors often mean the wooden carcase has shifted slightly out of square over the years. Check that the base stands level, as twisting the frame translates straight up into the door hinges. You can ease a stubborn wooden edge by rubbing a wax candle along the binding contact points. If the brass hinges squeak, a single drop of light oil works into the metal pin and stops the noise. Sometimes the wood swells in damp weather. Give it a few weeks in a dry room before taking any sandpaper to the door edges.

Home > Cupboards > Cupboard on Stand > Page 3

Antique Cupboard on Stand from the 19th Century

← Page 3 of 6 →

An antique cupboard on stand is a two-part storage piece featuring a shelved or fitted cabinet raised upon a legged base, keeping linens and valuables well above damp floors.