Lot Essay
A related chest is in the Mabel Brady Garvan Collection at Yale University. Both chests were produced in the same shop for they share nearly identical decorative motifs and are constructed in the same manner.
The central heart motif on each chest is inscribed with the name of a lady. The chest above contains the name CHA DA RI NA BOCK in 1787, the Garvan chest is embellished with MAR GRE DA BOH in 1788. Given the proximity of date, the location, and similarity of the last names, it is possible that these two objects were made as companion dower chests for two siblings.
For other examples of chests with heart motifs, see Monroe Fabian,
-------------------. For illustrations of the Garvan chest, see Wallace Nutting, Furniture Treasury, vol. 1, (New York, 1948), no. 112; Gerald W.R. Ward, American Case Furniture in the Mabel Brady Garvan and Other Collections at Yale University (New Haven, CT, 1988), p. 116, no. 46.
The central heart motif on each chest is inscribed with the name of a lady. The chest above contains the name CHA DA RI NA BOCK in 1787, the Garvan chest is embellished with MAR GRE DA BOH in 1788. Given the proximity of date, the location, and similarity of the last names, it is possible that these two objects were made as companion dower chests for two siblings.
For other examples of chests with heart motifs, see Monroe Fabian,
-------------------. For illustrations of the Garvan chest, see Wallace Nutting, Furniture Treasury, vol. 1, (New York, 1948), no. 112; Gerald W.R. Ward, American Case Furniture in the Mabel Brady Garvan and Other Collections at Yale University (New Haven, CT, 1988), p. 116, no. 46.