This serpentine bureau relates to a chest of drawers made by Joseph Rawson, Sr. Providence, 1806, illustrated in The Rawson Family of Cabinetmakers from Antiques Magazine, July 1980. Interestingly, both chests use chestnut extensively throughout and another chest at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum similarly illustrated.  Our example retains its original brasses and is absolutely pristine. This piece is in what antique dealers call “new old’ condition. See construction images showing a totally untouched structure. Interestingly, serpentine chests took longer to make and cost considerably more than one of straight or even bowed front.

Interestingly, serpentine chests took longer to make and cost considerably more than those of straight or even bowed fronts.

Height: 40 1/2 in.  Depth: 23 3/4 in.
Width: 46 in.  Case Width: 45 in.