The graceful proportions and soft contours of high chest of drawers produced in the early to mid-eighteenth century are captured with exceptional beauty and elegance in this walnut burl veneered example from Massachusetts. An early form of Queen Anne design, this chest retains the decorative double bead around the drawers and the applied bead nailed to the skirt, as well as the flat top with overhanging cornice and complementary mid-molding characteristic of furniture from the William and Mary period. The chest lacks the extra legs of the preceeding era and central drops grace the front apron in their place. In addition, the lower case is furnished with only three short drawers, the long drawer soon to appear above on later examples is not yet incorporated. This chest is exceptional for many reasons, among which are the original brass pulls, the handsome veneer, and the finely shaped legs with high pad feet. Hidden from view is the consistant oxidation throughout the case interior, drawers, and back; the untouched condition of the high chest adds to the importance of this example. See Harold Sack, "The Development of the American High Chest of Drawers," Antiques Magazine, vol 133, no. 5, (May, 1988), pp. 1112-1116.