Superb American Queen Anne Curly Maple Highboy Chest of Drawers, circa 1760-1780

View Similar Items

NH Queen Anne Curly Maple Highboy Attributed to the Dunlap Workshop c 1760-1780

American Queen Anne Antique Sycamore Flat-Top Highboy, New England c. 1760

Queen Anne Style Chest of Drawers

KINDEL Mahogany Queen Anne Style Highboy Chest

Queen Anne Small Oak Chest of Drawers

Queen Anne Walnut Highboy

Queen Anne Chest of Drawers / Commode in Walnut circa 1700

Connecticut Queen Anne Flat-Top "Highboy" High Chest

American 18th Century Queen Anne Maple Highboy with Fan Carving, Cabriole Legs

American Sheraton Curly Maple Chest

Queen Anne Style Painted Highboy

Bonnet top maple highboy chest of drawers

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Superb American Queen Anne Curly Maple Highboy Chest of Drawers, circa 1760-1780

About the Item

This superb New England highboy is crafted out of a powerful curly maple hardwood which lends gorgeous grain striations across the graduated drawers. There is always an interesting progression in the furniture design that ranges from the utilitarian to the heights of fine sculptural arts - the present example soars above its peers in proportion, material selection, quality of craftsmanship and overall execution. Furthermore, it remains in nearly untouched original condition, other than the finish having been refreshed perhaps more than a century ago. The crisp dovetailing of the drawers has resulted in a firm and perfect joinery, each flowing in and out of the case easily; the drawers are crafted of pine, the bottom board a deeply chamfered single plank set in grooves on the sides and nailed with iron brads along the back edge. The dividing drawer blades through-dovetail into the sides of the case. Each retains the original batwing brasses, some bail pulls replaced. A deep cornice is beautifully formed and projects over the case to a depth and width nearly identical of the feet. The lowest drawer is highlighted with a crisp and fully developed fan-carving, these drawers divided by vertical blades that dovetail into the body of the case. A nearly identical example is catalogued in Albert Sacks earlier edition: Fine Points of Furniture, where it is simply catalogued as being a New England work and an interesting example with nearly identical skirting and scrolled knee returns is captured in Nutting’s Furniture Treasury (see below). These bold returns are delicate and curl beautifully, each being original and nearly black on the back from oxidization. The case rests over cabriole legs terminating in a scooped pad foot with a bevelled edge. The integral apron scalloping have never had finials. An exceptional piece for the passionate connoisseur of very fine Americana, it is a powerful statement and a true work of art. Literature: See Fine Points of Furniture: Early American, Albert Sack, p. 180 for a nearly identical example noted by Sack as “Best” See Furniture Treasury, Wallace Nutting, Vol I & II, 1928, f. 355 for a highboy with nearly identical skirting and knee returns with the same through-dovetail of the drawer blades also in a curly maple Measurements: 20 3/4” D x 40 1/4” H x 39 1/2” W [upper]; 21 1/4” D x 35 1/2” H x 40 3/4” W [lower]; total height 74 5/8" Condition report: Original locks (no key) and escutcheons, one with some loss; a few replaced bail pulls; untouched originality in structure throughout. Finish is old and very handsome, not original, but quite early with nearly black oxidization in some areas. Minor age appropriate wear/scuffs as expected, including to the back of the waist molding. Proper left rear foot with restorations to the pad. Original backboards secured with a few of the original brads supplemented by modern nails.

Dimensions:
Height: 74.63 in (189.57 cm)Width: 40.75 in (103.51 cm)Depth: 21.25 in (53.98 cm)
Style:
Queen Anne (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Maple,Pine
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1760-1769
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1760-1780
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. See condition notes in descriptive text, additional images available upon request.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 801KJG27F | Silla, ltd.1stDibs: LU1059010095163