This important high chest is distinguished by highly figured veneers, wonderful turned legs with stretchers and superb condition. The chest has pronounced verticality developed by the extraordinarily slender turned legs. This form was developed in the Baroque period for use in the bedchamber. The Baroque period promoted lighter more graceful forms with an emphasis on greater height. Chests of this form seldom survive with their delicate legs and stretcher intact. The graceful proportions, vibrant veneers and uncommon condition affirm this as a highly important example of this rare form.
The top is mounted with a broad figured maple cornice molding and rounded torus drawer above two short drawers and three graduated drawers. Each of these drawer fronts is divided into two rectangular panels with double herringbone cross banding around vibrant burl walnut fronts. The maple drawer dividers and case side have rounded fronts surrounding each drawer. All drawers are mounted with original period brasses with etched back plates and bails with bulbous centers. The base of the upper case has a stepped molding that sets into a broad mid-molding on the base. The façade of the case has a burl walnut front that is fitted with a row of three short drawers above shallow center drawer flanked by two short drawers. This layout with two rows of drawers in the lower case is very uncommon and compounds the vertical appearance. Most high chests of this period have a single row of drawers, which resulting in a more squat appearance to the lower case.
The apron has a fantastic shape with double cyma curves at each side flanking a raised ovolo cut-out atop matched cyma curves. The sides of the case also have large matched curves. The edge of the skirt has a conforming cock bead that serves to define this edge, creating a crisp silhouette. The base rests on four front and two rear trumpet-turned legs connected with a broad flat maple stretcher. The shape of the stretcher exactly mirrors that of the apron. The stretcher is above ring turned and compressed ball feet with raised disks.
Dimensions: Widths: Upper case 36”; Waist 41”; Lower case 38 ½”; Height 67 ¼”; Depths: Upper case 20 ¼”; Waist 23 ¼”; Lower case 21 ½”