This distinctive form is associated with the cabinet shops of the members of the Dunlap family working in South central, New Hampshire during the last third of the eighteenth century. The chest on frame, carvings, apron shape and general layout and configuration are typical of their work. This example is distinguished by its extreme small size. The chest bears the proportions of a full sized chest on chest, but in a diminutive size.
The handsome chest has a flared and molded cornice fitted with a simple dentil molding. The chest has five graduated drawers in the upper case above two drawers in the lower case. Each drawer has a thumbnail molded edge and wonderful Chippendale brasses. The upper drawer on the top case and the bottom drawer on the lower case have central carved fans with brass knobs.
The fan drawers have facings that simulate three short drawers but are in fact one long drawer. The top drawer on the lower case, which is in fact one deep drawer with a facing carved to appear as two long narrow drawers. Often referred to as a bonnet drawer, it demonstrates the practical ingenuity of these craftsmen and is common to other Dunlap pieces. This configuration maintained the pleasing proportion and layouts of high style furniture while affording the owner the utility of storage for larger items.
The chest fits into a rectangular frame with an elaborate, symmetrically scrolled apron that joins short cabriole legs with pad feet. This frame is yet another example of practical craftsmanship. A sturdy frames joined the large mortises was far stronger than for individual feet. The top of the base section is marked with an owners name and locale in graphite, “D.A. Summer, Manchester, NH.”
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