Rare Walnut Kentucky Sugar Press with Nelson County, Kentucky Provenance
This elegant Sheraton era sugar press is truly an epic piece that will be a cornerstone to any early Kentucky furniture collection. The Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts from Winter 1997 suggests that a Sugar Press is an exceedingly rare form of sugar storage furniture. For every 100 sugar chests in existence there is just 1 sugar press. This press is made of Walnut primary with Tulip Poplar secondary woods. It is beautifully proportion and sits atop a 12" tall turned leg ending with a ball and spike. The case has joiner construction throughout. The original lid has evidence of age cracking that has been expertly spline-repaired long ago. The inner sugar compartment has three equally divided compartments. The bottom compartment has two blind doors with through-joiner construction. The inner surfaces of the panels have been hand planned and chamfered. Incredibly it contains its original locks and hinges. The back features large hand-planed Tulip Poplar boards. This family piece came through the estate of the descendants of Mr. Willoughby
Williams, Jr., (1798-1882) who was a prominent American banker and sheriff. He passed away at his daughter's home in Louisville. This press was purchased from his descendants Estate Auction which was held in Bardstown, Kentucky. Accompanying the piece is the McAllen and Figg Family Tree of which Mr. Willoughby Williams Jr. was a descendent. This is an extra hard to find ‘Masterwork' example of Early Kentucky cabinetry with great history. These presses are rarely offered. Measures 42" wide x 19 1/4" deep by a very impressive 47 5/8" tall. Don't Miss It!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Pickup of items won will be appointment only. Please call Dave Diederich at 859 745 2900 to schedule your appointment. We have a lot of items to move out and desire to empty our venue as soon as we can to allow items coming in for the next sale.
If you have not paid online, then payment can be made at pickup. Please bring your own packaging and additional help if needed for loading items. All removals must be completed in a professional and tidy manner. Not responsible for accidents.
For those buyers who wish to have their merchandise sent or who are out of the area and will not pick the items up, shipping arrangements can be made through the buyer's own shipper as Diederich Auction Gallery does not provide in-house packing or shipping. All packing and shipping of merchandise will be at the risk and expense of the buyer. A list of shippers that have been used by past customers is below: It is the buyer's responsibility to contact the shipper and then contact Dave Diederich at 859 745 2900 to communicate which shipper you are using so we can coordinate getting it into their hands.

For smaller items:
UPS Store, Winchester, Ky. 859 745 4422, [email protected]
The Mailroom, Lexington, Ky.: 859 268 0206, [email protected]

For freight, furniture and long distance items:
Kerry Baird, Crosstown Movers. Lexington, Ky. 859 229 8029
RB Shipping, Atlanta, Ga. 404 524 9122 or [email protected]

Shippers are independent of Diederich Auction Gallery and are not endorsed by it; therefore, we are not responsible for problems associated with shipping. Merchandise is stored at the risk of the purchaser.

by Diederich Auction Gallery
May 11, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
31 W. Hickman St.
Winchester, KY, US 40391

Diederich Auction Gallery

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 15% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $249 $10
$250 $999 $25
$1,000 $4,999 $50
$5,000 $9,999 $100
$10,000 + $250