Chest of Drawers

Object Name:

Chest of Drawers

Object ID:

1956.007

Place of Origin:

New England, probably New Hampshire

Date:

1791

Description:

High Chest of Drawers. Maple with white pine. Straight front, flat top and nine drawers. Cove-molded cornice. Four full-width drawers in upper case with a row of three narrow drawers above. Two drawers in lower case simulating two full-width drawers above a row of three narrow drawers. Drawers in each case are graduated, except that uppermost row of three drawers is almost equal in height to three simulated drawers at bottom. Scotia molding at top of lower case, which is finished at bottom with a scalloped skirt. Carved fan on central top drawer, with corresponding fan on simulated central bottom drawer. Four cabriole legs with sharp knees, shaped brackets, and abrupt transition to rounded lower leg leaving visible break in outline; club feet each with a distinct ridge on top and hock above. Each drawer has molded edges. Drawers are fitted with brass handles (having elaborately shaped plates and bails with bulbous centers) and matching escutcheons. Maple partly of "curly" grain. Has been refinished; evidence of former dark brown stains. Hand-forged nails used in construction. No locks; all escutcheons "blind." Upper case has full bottom board and a dust board below the three narrow drawers at top. No top or bottom boards in lower case. Sides of lower case are partly double-walled, with pine on interior. Drawer sides finished on upper edges with a double bead. Handles on lowest drawer differ in style from others; one of these handle plates is actually an escutcheon. Painted inscription on outer surface of backboards in lower case: "HC/1791." Also on reverse of lower case is a printed shipping label, reading: "FROM / TUCK'S ANTIQUE STORE / KENNEBUNKPORT, ME.," with the following handwritten destinations added: "Irving & Casson, / Otis Street, Cambridge, Mass." (in ink) and "For Mrs. Whittmore" (in pencil). Chalk inscription on reverse of upper case, reading: "1764," "ONE" and "Repaired / by / Jeff Allen / of / S[an]ford.Me." Figure "148-41(?)" written in pencil at upper right corner of upper backboards. Pencil inscription on left end of one long drawer, the only legible part being "Tucker." A possible chalk inscription on back of another drawer. A third drawer back marked "Back" in pencil. A fragment of Italian-language newspaper glued to underside of one large drawer. Evidence of another shipping (?) label remains on underside of upper case.

Material:

Wood
Metal

Dimensions:

H-76.125 W-38.125 D-20.25 inches

Provenance:

Said to have been purchased as an antique, probably in Maine, by Harriet (Mrs. Huntley) Spaulding.
The piece has several Maine marks on it.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Huntley N. Spaulding

People:

Spaulding, Harriet M. (1876-before 1955), Spaulding, Huntley N. (1869-1955)