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Photo: Courtesy Stair Galleries, Hudson, N.Y.
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High chest of drawers

Object number

RIF2162

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

83 × 40 × 20 1/2 in. (210.82 × 101.6 × 52.07 cm)

Date

1755–1785

Current location

Unknown

Geography

Made in Rhode Island
(view a map of Rhode Island)

Medium

Mahogany (primary); pine (backboards)

Provenance

Stair Galleries, Hudson, New York, October 14–15, 2006, lot 821

Associated names

Stair Galleries

Construction

Four horizontal backboards are nailed to rabbets in the case sides and to the back edge of the bottom board. The bonnet is open and the backboards are cut to conform to the circular opening on the front of the case; the cornice moldings within the bonnet continue to the backboards. The mid moldings appear to be replaced; a median brace spans from the top rail of the lower case and pierces the backboard. Half-blind dovetails fasten the backboard to the lower case sides with half keys at the top and bottom and ten full dovetails between them. Observations from photographs posted at www.stairgalleries.com/auction/10-14-06/lots 801-900/821.htm accessed October 9, 2006.

Bibliography

"Stair Galleries advertisement," Antiques and the Arts Weekly (September 29, 2006): 235, ill.