Chest of Drawers
- Object Name:
- Chest of Drawers
- Object ID:
- 1978.008.01
- Creator:
- Joslyn, Joel (1776-1831)
- Place of Origin:
- Henniker, NH
- Date:
- 1795-1799
- Description:
- Chest of Drawers. Made by Joel Joslyn (1776-1831), Henniker, NH, 1795-1799; owned by Jonathan Straw (1777-1844), Warner, NH. Straight front, flat top, ten drawers. Elaborate cornice consisting of cove and ovolo elements. Four full-width drawers in upper case with a row of three narrow drawers above. Three drawers in lower case with bottom drawer simulating the appearance of three narrow drawers. Drawers in each case graduated. Scotia molding at top of lower case, which is finished at bottom with a scalloped skirt having a pair of C-scrolls pendent at center. Carved fan on simulated central bottom drawer. Four cabriole legs with sharp knees, pointed brackets, and club feet. Each drawer has molded edges. Drawers are fitted with brass handles (having elaborately shaped plates and bails with bulbous centers) and matching escutcheons. Brass knob at center of fan on lowest drawer. Crazed, red-brown finish on top; evidence of former red-brown stain elsewhere. Shell of type known as "spoon handle" shell. Underside of lowest drawer partially stained red-brown. A steel lock on three of full-width drawers in upper case; other escutcheons "blind," with keyhole areas painted black. Hand-headed cut nails used in construction. Fronts and sides of drawer bottoms rabbeted rather than feather-edged. No top or bottom board in lower case. Chalk inscriptions: on upper surface of bottom board in upper case, "Joel Joslyn"; on inner surface of back of top drawer in lower case "[ ] joel joslin"; "B" on inner surface of several drawer backs; "E" on left end of three drawers; and "677" and "67" on back boards twice and inside two drawers. Pencil inscriptions: "Jonathan / Straw / [ ]" on left side of one small drawer; and "Martin / Warner" on back of same drawer. Some drawers numbered in pencil on inner surface of bottom. Incised marks: "Straw" on left end of upper drawer in lower case and "Pd / EN" on right end of upper case.
- Material:
- Wood
Steel
Brass - Dimensions:
- H-76.4 W-41 D-20.5 inches
- Provenance:
- The chest bears the signature of one of one of Samuel Dunlap's apprentices, Joel Joslyn (1776-1831) of Henniker. It was made either in Dunlap's shop before he moved to Salisbury in 1797 or in Joslyn's own shop before he moved to Lebanon in 1800. Jonathan Straw, whose name appears on the side of a drawer, was probably the first owner. The chest is believed to have been purchased at an auction in Salisbury, NH, c. 1900 by legator's father, George G. Martin (1871-1949) of Warner. Note also that George Martin's grandmother was Asenath Straw (1802-1878), daughter of Benjamin Straw of Weare NH. She married William Martin (1801-1884) of Bradford.
- Credit Line:
- Bequest of Mary F. Martin
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