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A Cherry Chippendale Inlaid Tall Chest, Hudson River Valley, CT, c.1780
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This is a most commanding and impressive tall chest. Note the elaborate cornice molding with its dental work and inlaid diamonds of sumac, an originally green softwood.
The spiral freize below the cornice is well thought out with the angle splitting at the middle of each section in agreement with the quarter round moldings at the sides and the gadrooning along the base, which are similarly split at the middle. It's a tour de force of the cabinetmaker's ambition and skill. For a related example, with small spiral columns (however not of split direction) see the scanned image below with comparisons to an example The Antique Encyclopedia, Norman Hudson. The drawers are inlaid in a manner similar to other Connecticut pieces including a desirable shell carving in the top central drawer.
The entire case piece rests on strongly formed ogee bracket feet. This is an important chest and is in impeccable condition with no repairs or restorations whatsoever. The secondaries are white pine and chestnut, with sumac and aspen used in the outer case with the primary cherry.
Note, the fan carving in the central top drawer closely resembles a fan carved panel on a tall case clock illustrated in Connecticut Valley Furniture, Kugelman & Lionetti.
Height: 47 3/4 in. Case Width: 40 in. Overall Width: 43 3/4 in. Depth: 19 3/4 in.
The spiral freize below the cornice is well thought out with the angle splitting at the middle of each section in agreement with the quarter round moldings at the sides and the gadrooning along the base, which are similarly split at the middle. It's a tour de force of the cabinetmaker's ambition and skill. For a related example, with small spiral columns (however not of split direction) see the scanned image below with comparisons to an example The Antique Encyclopedia, Norman Hudson. The drawers are inlaid in a manner similar to other Connecticut pieces including a desirable shell carving in the top central drawer.
The entire case piece rests on strongly formed ogee bracket feet. This is an important chest and is in impeccable condition with no repairs or restorations whatsoever. The secondaries are white pine and chestnut, with sumac and aspen used in the outer case with the primary cherry.
Note, the fan carving in the central top drawer closely resembles a fan carved panel on a tall case clock illustrated in Connecticut Valley Furniture, Kugelman & Lionetti.
Height: 47 3/4 in. Case Width: 40 in. Overall Width: 43 3/4 in. Depth: 19 3/4 in.
SOLD
