This is a genuine Virginia made artisan workbench step back cupboard from the late 1700's. The eight paned glass fronted top may have been a slightly later addition to the bottom cupboard but both were made of Virginia walnut and crafted by hand. Many, if not all, of the glass panes in the top half are original old glass. Note the bubbles in the upper right pane and the waves and imperfections in the rest. The cupboard top was originally designed with five shelves with about 6 inches between them but a later craftsman reduced that number to two and filled in the shelf slots that supported the missing shelves. Below the glass doors are three paneled doors. The leftmost paneled door is hinged on the left, the middle is hinged on the bottom with a working lock and key. The key is surely not original but the locks are original. The cupboard top appears to have been painted at an early date perhaps to cover signs of use. There are three signatures on the left interior of the center compartment. These names are Miriam Thompson, W. Chapin Meigs and Bessie H. Barnett. The exterior of the top was painted to match the bottom. This is the original early paint. The unpainted bottom cabinet is constructed with through-mortise-and-tenon joinery, through-mortised paneled doors and hand made nails. Besides a few later additions, this magnificent Colonial Virginia piece is original in every respect.