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2020-153, Chest of Drawers
Miniature Tall Chest of Drawers
2020-153, Chest of Drawers

Miniature Tall Chest of Drawers

Date1770-1800
Maker Unidentified
OriginAmerica, Delaware River Valley or Pennsylvania
MediumBlack walnut, tulip poplar, and brass
DimensionsOH: 21 1/4"; OW: 11 1/4"; OD: 14"
Credit LineBequest of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hennage
Object number2020-153
DescriptionAppearance: Miniature tall chest of drawers; the rectangular overhanging top is molded along the front and side edges and has a molding nailed below it to the front and sides of the case; four graduated, lip molded drawers retain original brass drawer pulls (one each), which have been driven into the drawer fronts; ogee base molding and straight bracket feet.

Construction: Two tulip poplar batten sub-tops half blind dovetailed to case sides; walnut top nailed to sub-top; bottom board dovetailed to case sides; two board, tongue and groove joined backboards chamfered around top, bottom and sides, in dados in the same; top rail dovetailed to sides; lower portion of cornice molding nailed to top rail and case sides; walnut drawer dividers in dados in sides; front edges of sides covered in thin walnut lathe; bottom rail glued to top of case bottom board; tulip poplar drawer supports tenoned into chanel in back edge of drawer dividers and nailed with two nails each to the sides; bottom drawer supports rest on case bottom and are nailed to sides; nails protrude about half an inch from all drawer supports; base molding nailed to front of bottom rail and sides; bracket feet are half blind dovetailed and nailed to underside of base molding; vertical glue block behind brackets; drawers have standard dovetail construction with the drawer bottom chamfered around the front and sides and nailed to the underside of the back; original brass drawer pulls are so tightly in holes in drawer front that nuts are not necessary on backs of posts
Label TextThe miniature chest of drawers is a wonderful example of Delaware Valley craftsmanship in a small size. Possibly used as a child’s toy or perhaps for storage of small objects, the piece follows the construction and design of its full-sized cousins.
InscribedRed pencil or crayon numerals in inside corners of drawers (corners numbered 1-4 with corresponding numerals on each element, front, sides, and back, of each corner); red pencil or crayon numerals on underside of sub-top battens, from left to right 5 and 4 on either end of one batten, 6 and 3 on either end of front batten, indistinct number (possibly 3) or shape in center of each batten; inside proper right case side from bottom to top is “1,” “3,” “6,” and an undecipherable mark; inside proper left case side from bottom up is “3,” “7”.
ProvenanceIsrael Sack, Inc.