The Philadelphia highboy has always been one of the most sought-after pieces of American case furniture. In the world of cars, these models are comparable to a Rolls-Royce. The great ones are in major museums, and when they occasionally come up for auction, they can bring seven digits when all the stars align, i.e. having a good provenance, condition, and the extent of development of the model. No two are exactly alike and the carving often identifies the maker.
In our example the carving is mostly attributed to the so-called “Garvan Carver” whereas the central shell in the tympanum is attributed to Samuel Harding as documented by Alan Miller, an eminent scholar of early Philadelphia furniture of whose opinion and inspection is highly respected in the field, and essential to obtain meaningful confidence when acquiring a piece of important Philadelphia furniture.
This primary elaborate shell is original to the piece, and, according to Alan, is “attributed to Samuel Harding, an important carver of an earlier generation, now best remembered as one of the carvers of independence hall …”. Alan‘s complete report is included here and is one of the many reasons I was drawn to this piece. It’s quite singular.
This highboy is clearly in the museum category of masterpieces. In terms of scale, our example is one of the most robust of this grouping and Alan jokingly calls it a Clydesdale. Baron Steigel obviously wanted a blockbuster for his house, which still stands. In those days, a measure of one’s wealth was not only in the house, but in the furnishings as an architectural expression of a grand house.
Although Colonial Philadelphia furniture was not a main focus of my collection, I couldn’t resist a piece of this quality that came through an old line Philadelphia auction house, and a local dealer on my behalf. This grand highboy was a thoroughbred through and through. This is evidenced in the rich vibrantly striped mahogany throughout its case, and the exemplary cabinet work.
Starting from the bottom, one notes the very strongly carved claw and ball feet of good size with beautifully shaped commanding legs. The legs include carved shells on their knees which is a mark of the full development of the Chippendale leg style. The lower and upper cases have fluted quarter comms. The lower case is fully developed with a shaped skirt that includes a shell in the center. If this were not enough, the middle drawer has a large beautiful shell above it with spandrels of the type normally found in the secretaries of this Philadelphia grouping of highboys and lowboys. This shell in the lower case is referred to as by the “Garvan Carver.” Although beautiful in itself, it doesn’t hold a candle to the fine complex shell that embellishes the tympanum above.
The upper case, also with fluted quarter columns, has a scrolled swan’s neck tympanum which terminates with carved rosettes. Central to this pediment is the Harding shell, and if this were not enough, it is flanked by floating streaming foliage. Often this type of foliage is lost over time and replaced, but not in this case; it’s all original. An example of Harding’s handling of this pediment is found in a desk/bookcase at the Chipstone Foundation which has a major collection of American Colonial furniture and is illustrated on our website.
This chest, the “Baron Steigel Highboy,” named after its original owner, descended directly in the family. It was ultimately acquired in the late 30s by the legendary dean of Philadelphia furniture, Joseph Kindig. His original tag is pictured on our website.
This highboy is a national treasure and a building unto itself with a real history of ownership in a founding American family at the time of the revolution. Certainly, I felt it was a “must have”, and when the occasion came up years later, and the opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it and didn’t hesitate. Luck favors the prepared and collecting is measured in many years and looking for the opportunity.
Carving Attributed to Samuel Harding and “the Garvan Carver”
Provenance: Baron Henry William Stiegel (1729-1785) via a direct descendant; Joe Kindig, Sr.
Click here for a report on this piece by Alan Miller.
Illustrated: A related lowboy is illustrated in Lockwood, Luke Vincent. Colonial Furniture in America, vol. I, figure 109.
Height: 94 3/4 in. Width: 47 1/4 in. Depth: 24 1/2 in.
Revised July 24, 2025 4:28pm