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Frances Elkins Attributed Mahogany Block-Front Chest with Silverplate Pulls

$38,500

£29,078.14

€33,605.73

CA$54,002.14

A$60,055.61

CHF 31,436.34

MX$732,605.41

NOK 395,009.08

SEK 371,557.03

DKK 250,844.98

About the Item

A refined and unusually rare block-front chest attributed to iconic American designer Frances Elkins, celebrated for her ability to fuse classical vocabulary with the crisp restraint of modernism. While most examples of this model were rendered in softwood and finished in lacquer or silver leaf, this version is distinguished by its construction in richly figured mahogany and elevated further by original silverplate teardrop pulls—an elegant combination of tactile richness and sculptural clarity. Best known for her iconic loop chairs—an enduring symbol of her design legacy—Elkins brought the same sculptural sensibility and historical fluency to her case pieces. A key figure in early American modernism, she developed a uniquely American design language that merged 18th-century European forms, surrealist flourishes, and pared-down modern silhouettes. Though often linked to the early expressions of Hollywood Regency, her approach was more cerebral than theatrical, prioritizing balance, form, and proportion. She collaborated closely with her architect brother David Adler, and her interiors—layered yet edited—influenced a generation of designers including Michael Taylor and John Dickinson. This chest exemplifies Elkins’ philosophy: a classical form reinterpreted with modern confidence. While versions of this design have surfaced at auction in a range of finishes and price points, few offer the material depth and visual rigor seen here. Sculptural, versatile, and historically resonant, it would be equally compelling in a collected traditional interior or a curated modern setting.

Attributed to:
Frances Elkins (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 42.5 in (107.95 cm)Depth: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
Style:
Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany,Oak,Carved,Woodwork
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1945
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. As found in very good vintage shape.
Seller Location:
Kilmarnock, VA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU883045842612

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