Chest
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Captain John Lawrence
American, 1719 - 1802
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1800-1820
MediumCherry primary wood, eastern white pine secondary wood, brass and iron hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth ): 22 7/8 x 43 1/2 x 20 7/8in. (58.1 x 110.5 x 53cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionCherry chest in the Federal, or early neoclassical, style. The top is rectangular and has a plain edge with narrow cyma, or S-curve, molding below the front and side edges. The sides of the chest are plain. Molding at the bottom edges of the front and sides of the chest consists of a plain cove, or recessed quarter round. The bracket feet are vertical and have a knee return with a shaped lower edge consisting of a C-curve and cyma curve. Hardware on the chest includes an oval brass lock escutcheon and lock hardware in the top center of the front of the chest. The top is attached to the chest with a pair of iron strap hinges secured with screws.
Condition: The frame at the base of the chest and the feet have been reinforced with screws. The chest has been refinished. The locking mechanism and strap hinges are replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The top is formed of two boards with an applied strip of wood at the front edge and molding nailed to the front and side edges. The backboard is horizontally oriented and dovetailed to the sides of the chest. The front and sides of the chest are each formed by more than one board. The sides of the chest are joined with dovetails that are visible at the side and back corners only. A three-sided frame nailed to the front and sides of the bottom of the chest extends past the sides and forms the base molding. The bracket feet are formed of facings that are applied to the frame; the feet are reinforced with a corner block and wood blocks nailed along the knee return. The back feet are reinforced with a curved brace.
Condition: The frame at the base of the chest and the feet have been reinforced with screws. The chest has been refinished. The locking mechanism and strap hinges are replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The top is formed of two boards with an applied strip of wood at the front edge and molding nailed to the front and side edges. The backboard is horizontally oriented and dovetailed to the sides of the chest. The front and sides of the chest are each formed by more than one board. The sides of the chest are joined with dovetails that are visible at the side and back corners only. A three-sided frame nailed to the front and sides of the bottom of the chest extends past the sides and forms the base molding. The bracket feet are formed of facings that are applied to the frame; the feet are reinforced with a corner block and wood blocks nailed along the knee return. The back feet are reinforced with a curved brace.
Object number2005.118.0
NotesHistorical Note: John Lawrence was the Treasurer of Connecticut from 1769 to 1789. (Hudson 8/16/2005)Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
