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Lieutenant Samuel Pratt's Walnut Highboy, circa 1740 Boston, MA

About the Item

An exceptional two part highboy in burled walnut veneer, the upper case featuring a molded cornice with hidden drawer surmounting a center shell carved deep drawer flanked by two fitted small drawers on either side, and four graduated long drawers, all with crossbanded herringbone veneered borders and period, possibly original brasses, over a lower case with a single long drawer over three deep drawers, the center of which repeating the shell carving seen above, unusual for a highboy from this period. The carved skirt features two nicely turned drops, all supported by four slender cabriole legs terminating with pad feet. Massachusetts in origin, probably Boston, dating to the 1730’s, in very good overall condition, with minor veneer shrinkage cracks, minor restorations, minor losses, and light wear commensurate with age and use. Provenance: Purchased from Shreve, Crump & Low in NY, with a copy of a 1947 letter acknowledging the Boston area origin and commission of this piece by the Pratt Family and reads as follows: “The known history of ownership of the walnut highboy dates from the 18th century and Lt. Samuel Pratt and his wife, Elizabeth Pratt, who lived in Chelsea in the section known at that time as Prattville. The Pratt family, for whom the area was named, had been in this country since the 17th century. Mr. Mather, while President of Harvard College, stayed at the Pratt home in Chelsea in 1688 while on the way to see King James II of England for the purpose of bringing back into power the theocratic democracy of the Church of England. During the Revolution, part of Washington’s forces stayed in Prattville, and Washington stayed at the Pratt home. It is known that he ate some of his meals there. Once the British broke into the Pratt house and looted some things, including a scarce bowl which was hidden in the wall of the fireplace. The son of Lt. Samuel Pratt was also a lieutenant in the American forces and named Samuel. During the Revolution, he was in charge of the stock of arms and ammunition, which each town kept on hand for any emergency; and he carried hay to Boston, where is was used to reduce the noise of the Boston Tea Party when bales of tea were thrown into the harbor. Lt. Samuel Pratt was married to Mary Newhall Field, on June 24, 1781, by Reverend Payson, who was a Representative of the General Court of Chelsea, and Pastor of the Old North Church. Mary Fields’ first husband was Ebenezer Field. They were married by Reverend Samuel Stillman in Boston, November 14, 1778. She was born in 1757 and her father, Henry Newhall, was sent to Lake George during the Indian Wars and up the Mohawk Valley. At that time, he learned the Mohawk language and songs. Samuel Pratt and Mary Field had three children: Samuel (May 16, 1782), Betsy (April 2, 1786), and Barnabas Turner (September 17, 1793). Barnabas Turner Pratt, who next owned the highboy, was married in Boston, February 12, 1821, to Elizabeth Sturgis, whose eldest sister, Lucretia Jennings Sturgis, was the wife of Joshua Bates of London. Mr. Bates was the American head of London banking firm of Baring Brothers; the main reading room of the Boston Public Library is named for him. Barnabas Turner Pratt and Elizabeth Sturgis has three children: Mary Elizabeth (April 28, 1823); Harriot (April 13, 1825) and Samuel (June 4, 1831). Harriot Pratt, who next owned the highboy, was married to Thomas M. Pishon on October 26, 1845. Thomas Pishon was a carpenter, the son of Roderic Pishon of Belfast, Maine. Harriot and Thomas Pishon had four children: Harriot E (June 11, 1846), Joshua Sturgis (August 23, 1849), Eva (August 4, 1853), and Lucretia (May 20, 1857). Eva inherited the highboy, and was living in 1946.” Dimensions: 74.5 in H x 39 in W x 22.25 in D. Ref: 9740.

Dimensions:

Height: 74.5 in (189.23 cm)Width: 39 in (99.06 cm)Depth: 22.25 in (56.52 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Brass,Burl,Walnut,Cast,Hand-Carved,Veneer

Period:

1740-1749

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1740

Condition:

Repaired: minor drawer restorations and veneer patches. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. The finish has been refreshed at some point. Very good overall condition, with minor veneer shrinkage cracks, minor restorations, minor losses, and light wear commensurate with age and use. Other imperfections include probable replaced drop finials.

Seller Location:

Milford, NH

Reference Number:

Seller: 93351stDibs: LU933932971092

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