Tall chest of drawers

Date1780-1800

MediumWhite pine

DimensionsOH: 53 1/2"; OD: 19"; OW: 38 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. William H. Murdoch, Jr.

Object number1965-4

DescriptionChest of drawers with two small drawers above five graduated drawers; applied cornice and base molding extends around front and sides; cornice reverse ogee in profile; base molding possesses ogee cruve above straight vertical element;case rests upon bracket feet that feautre pronounced pointed scroll, deeply carved arch, and base quarter round molding on all edges; drawers retain original late baroque brass pulls and escutcheons; top left and bottom drawers lockable. Top and bottom join sides with through dovetails; top and bottom rails as well as horizontal drawer blades through dovetailed at front edges of sides leaving exposed joinery; top vertical drawer blade tenoned into top rail and first horizontal drawer blade; vertical blade extended to case rear with partition; partition secured along sides with glue and along case top with square head nails; central drawer runner secured to lower partition edge with two square head nails through underside and one through backboard; at front, runner set in central groove on top blade; all other runnners glued into dovetail grooves; cornice and base molding; bracket feet glued to underside of base molding, mitered at corners, and secured with square head nails to four vertical extensions of case sides; backboard consists of three panels set into rabbits and secured with square head nails and one rose head nail; drawer front, sides and rear dovetailed together; bottoms slid in dados (along fronts and sides) and secured with square head nails along rear edge.
Inscribed"A 338" inscribed on rear of second drawer from bottom