Newport, Rhode Island
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This handsome Queen Anne highboy features boldly striped tiger maple, excellent proportions, and superb regional characteristics. It retains an excellent patina and fine honey color that emphasizes the superb tiger maple wood grain. The flared flat top has a broad crown molding. The upper case has two short drawers above three graduated drawers. Each drawer has an overhanging thumbmolded edge. The upper case with attached waist molding rests on the base section containing a single long drawer above three short drawers. The flamboyantly shaped skirt features a rarely encountered lobster tail drop below a dramatic shallow central drawer centering the double arched profile flanking deep rounded drops. The skirt joins shaped leg brackets joining tall slender cabriole legs with arris knees continuing to pad feet resting on pronounced disks of full height. The legs are detachable, which is a classic Newport construction characteristic. They are secured by a combination of original and replaced corner blocks. Of the originals, they are a mixture of poplar and chestnut.
Attribution: Well-known and highly respected Rhode Island furniture scholar and author, Patricia Kane, Curator of American Decorative Arts at Yale University Art Gallery has carefully examined and documented this Newport high chest. Based on her knowledge of Newport furniture, she has assigned this piece to preeminent eighteenth century Newport cabinetmaker, Christopher Townsend. This attribution is largely based on the presence of his lettering system for identifying the proper location of each drawer within the case. The exterior drawer backs in the upper case are lettered, “A” through “E” in flowing graphite. The style of these letters, as well as their placement, is consistent with other pieces that are documented to Christopher Townsend. The drawers in the lower case also exhibit Townsend’s markings.
Additionally, Lettering on the exterior drawer backs, small precise dovetails, and relatively thin drawer sides are consistent with the work of Christopher Townsend. There are five small nails securing drawer bottoms to back boards of the wide drawers which is also indicative of his work. This is a lovely high chest that exhibits the Townsend meticulous craftsmanship. With the lobster tail drop it seems to be early, hence Christopher.
Historic Detail: This high chest features a unique detail that is noteworthy and deeply thought-provoking. The left side of the upper case (proper right) has a repaired crack, as well as a square patch in the wood. The depth of this patch is not the full thickness of the case side… but rather, it is set into the case side by perhaps a quarter inch. When examining the inside of the case in this location, it becomes clear that the patch is covering a historic bullet strike that tore a hole through the side of the case. The upper few inches of the adjacent drawer side have been repaired and the drawer back near that corner has a small piece torn away.
This damage appears to be consistent with damage caused by a large caliber, low velocity round, such as a musket ball. Based on the oxidation of the wound, this damage took place a very long time ago, likely in the eighteenth century. Could this damage be the result of Revolutionary War activity or is it simply the result of an errant gunshot. How we wish these pieces could tell us their stories!
To learn more about bullet struck objects including “Samuel Shed’s Bullet Struck Highboy [page 93]” see Bullet Strikes From the First Day of the American Revolution by Joel Bohy and Douglas Scott, (2025 Rhode Island; Andrew Mowbray Incorporated – Publishers.)
Item Date: Circa 1745
Measurement: Height: 69.25"; Top Case: 35.75" x 19.25"; Bottom Case: 37.75" x 20.5"
Material: Tiger maple, chestnut, and poplar. Drawer linings are made entirely of chestnut, except the back boards of the two deep drawers in the lower section and the split drawers in the upper section, which have popular backs. The bottom board of the upper section is chestnut The back boards of the upper section are popular. Backboard of the lower section is chestnut. The case sides, both top and bottom are all constructed of a single maple board.
Item Condition: The split top drawers in the upper section were once fitted with Quaker spring locks that were not let in, simply nailed to the drawer bottom face. Both are missing. The top board is popular and retains what appears to be the original red wash. Expert lip repair to proper right corner [1.5” by .5”] of top right drawer. A 1” by .25” trivial repair to horizontal drawer rail is all but invisible [third down]. Period brass hardware is within original and only borings. Else fine. Displays beautifully.
Price: $20,250
SKU 270-215
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.