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2020-161, Chest of Drawers
Miniature High Chest of Drawers
2020-161, Chest of Drawers

Miniature High Chest of Drawers

Date1770-1800
OriginAmerica, Connecticut, New London County
MediumMaple, chestnut, white pine, tulip poplar
DimensionsOH: 22 1/2"; OW: 8 1/8"; OD: 12"
Credit LineBequest of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hennage
Object number2020-161
DescriptionAppearance: Miniature high chest of drawers. Upper case has flat top with molded cornice over four graduated drawers with thumbnail molded edges and (replaced) brass pulls, flanked by free-standing fluted columns. The lower case has an ogee waist molding over three drawers each with single brass (replaced) drawer pull, wider shallow drawer in center flanked by two deeper, drawers. The ogee skirt forms a high central arch in the middle and is supported by cabriole legs with sharply pointed knees, terminating in pad feet on raised pads.

Construction: Upper case: top and bottom dovetailed to sides; top and bottom rails on front set in dados in stiles; cornice molding attached to sides and top rail; backboard chamfered along sides and top and in dados in the same, nailed to rear edge of bottom board; front stiles in sliding dovetails in top and bottom boards; columns with integral blocks at top and bottom sit in front of the sides and a spacer block between the sides and stiles; drawer blades dovetailed into stiles; chestnut drawer supports with white pine guides glued to top are half lapped over top of drawer blades and rear rails; rear rails in dados in case sides; bottom supports are glued to the top of the bottom board. Lower case: sides, back, and lower front rails tenoned and pegged into legs; top front rail dovetailed to top of legs; drawer divider joined at top to top rail with sliding dovetail; divider is deeper than rail and skirt and sits on lower drawer opening in skirt; mid molding nailed to top of frame assembly; drawer supports half lapped over lower front rail and tenoned into backboard; drawer guides nailed to sides between legs; white pine center drawer guides glued to sides of chestnut drawer supports; knee blocks nailed to legs; drawers have standard dovetail construction with bottom boards oriented side to side (except one narrow drawer that has front to back orientation), chamfered on front and sides and in dado in the same and nailed to bottom edge of backboard. Tops of drawer sides slightly chamfered on edges.
Label TextThe unusual, fully round columns on this chest are of a type found on full-sized case furniture made in New London County, Connecticut, suggesting this chest's origin. The object’s overall form, highly arched skirt, sharp cabriole legs, and cabinet woods are all seen on pieces produced in coastal Connecticut and adjacent Rhode Island.

Like their full-sized counterparts, miniatures furniture oftne reflects regional diversity in design and construction. Many mid-sized miniature forms are proportioned for play with dolls but other pieces may have been intended for display.
InscribedBacks of drawers marked in chalk. Top drawers marked with an inverted V and the numbers 5-8 (top to bottom). Lower case side drawers marked with inverted V, one with vertial line through the V, other with horizontal line through one side of V. Center drawer marked with inverted V and another shape.
MarkingsLower case legs, sides, and back marked with Roman numerals. Proper right rear leg and backboard marked III, PR rear leg and side marked XX. Proper left rear leg and side marked II. Proper right side at front marked X.
ProvenanceEx-collection Mrs. Ingersoll, Hartford, Connecticut.
Leigh Keno, Inc.
Donors purchased from Israel Sack, Inc. in 1991
Exhibition(s)