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COUNTRY SHERATON TRANSITIONAL CHEST OF DRAWERS WITH STENCILED AND HAND-PAINTED DECORATION ON A WHITE GROUND, MAINE ORIGIN, CA 1830-50 |
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| Dimensions (inches): |
49" tall x 43" wide x 20" deep |
| Description: |
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Paint-decorated chest of two over four drawers, with a rams' horn, scrollwork, splash back and full balusters columns, on four turned feet. With a step-back profile and overhanging top drawer, bearing elements of both the Sheraton and Empire styles, the origin of this example rests with the same group of Maine craftsman that produced many colorfully painted dressing tables, one-drawer stands, and other case furniture within the 1820-50 era. Distinctively Maine in its overall presentation, the theorm-like decoration includes stenciled and hand-painted pears, apples, and grapes in black, accompanied by red cherries, black and bronze leaves, and bronze striping. The background is white, which is unusual in Maine furniture, though certainly not unknown. Most of the related forms have red and black graining or chrome yellow grounds beneath similar embellishments of fruit and fauna.
The design of the chest with its high feet give it a lofty appearance, which adds considerably to the visual appeal of this great piece of American folk art. The country Sheraton knobs are of stamped brass and original. Constructed of white pine throughout, the drawers are hand-dovetailed, as-is the upper portion of the case. The remainder of the joinery is accomplished by mortise-and-tenon and/or cut nails. The wide plank, two-board back on the primary section of the case is particularly nice.
Condition: The surface was professionally cleaned. There is some xpected wear, but the condition is notably good, especially for this early period. As a connoisseur of original painted surfaces, I do everything I can to avoid repaint and restoration, while trying to maintain the beauty of the object. Here I applied white paint to the columns and feet, then wiped it entirely away, then applied a very thin varnish. The resulting, chalky haze minimized the appearance of paint loss on any exposed natural wood, without actually adding a layer of paint. A few scratches in the remainder of the case were minimized in a similar fashion. The decoration is entirely original. |
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| Primary Color: |
white |
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| Earliest Date: |
1830 |
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| Latest Date: |
1850 |
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| For Sale Status: |
Available |
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| Price |
$13,500 |
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| E-mail: |
info@jeffbridgman.com |
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