Chest

Object Name:

Chest

Object ID:

1977.034.07

Creator:

Judkins, John (1809-1858)

Place of Origin:

Portsmouth, NH

Date:

circa 1830

Description:

Blanket chest over drawers, made by John Judkins (1809-1858), Portsmouth, NH, c. 1830. Birch, with secondary woods of white pine, basswood, and birch. Straight-front blanket chest over two drawers. Appears to have four graduated drawers, but the two upper drawers are simulated. Four vase-turned legs with ring-turned anklets above cylindrical feet having ball terminals. Top hinged at back. Two wooden knobs on each real and simulated drawer. Modern red paint. Full bottom boards. Steel lock on chest and each drawer, each with inset brass keyholes. Several pencil inscriptions reading: "Right, " "Left" and "Front." Painted inscription on outer surface of bottom: "John Judkins / Portsmouth / N.H."

Material:

Wood
Steel
Brass
Birch
Pine
Basswood

Dimensions:

H-42.125 W-42.375 D-16.75 inches

Provenance:

Blanket chest over drawer, signed by John Judkins, Portsmouth, NH, son of Jonathan Judkins of Portsmouth. John is said to have "probably worked with his father from about 1825 to 1835, when he removed with his wife to Reading, Mass."
A note in the accession folder states that the chest may have been acquired from Arthurs' Antiques, Epsom, NH. Also noted is that the Arthurs had either repainted it or arranged to have it repainted (it was stripped when acquired by the donors). The chest was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kaufmann -- important collectors of antiques, including N.H. furniture -- who donated it to NHHS.

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles L. and Jane Kaufmann

People:

Kaufmann, Charles, Kaufmann, Jane, Judkins, John (1809-1858)