With its fleur-de-lys relief-carved and punch-decorated quarter-fan door panel decoration, the schrank illustrated here is also related to the Philadelphia Museum of Art/Huber schrank and the Winterthur/Herr schrank discussed in lot 108. More closely grouped with these attributed-Holl pieces in form, proportion and decoration, the schrank illustrated here is an important link between more exuberantly decorated examples, such as the Huber schrank, more moderately decorated examples, such as the Herr schrank, and more simply decorated forms, such as the blanket chest illustrated in lot 108. In addition, the 1784 and 1779 inlaid dates of the Huber and Herr schranks suggests an approximate date of manufacture for the schrank illustrated here. Accordingly, where it seemed unlikely that Peter Holl III could be the maker of the 1765 blanket chest, it is more likely that he was involved in the manufacture of this schrank. The distinctive door panel carving, an unusual feature in Pennsylvania furniture, make it also more likely that these three schranks are from the same source.

The descendant of several Pennsylvania joiners and cabinetmakers, Peter Holl III worked in Manheim and Warwick Townships, Lancaster County. He is presumed to have apprenticed with his uncle, Peter Holl II (d. 1784), the son of Peter Holl I (d. 1775), a cabinetmaker from Switzerland. For further information, see lot 108.

See also Garvan, p. 359; Lichten, "A Masterpiece of Pennsylvania German Furniture," The Magazine Antiques, February 1960, vol. LXXVII, no. 2, pp. 176-178; see also Anderson, "A New Look at Sulfur and Other Composition Inlay," Chester County Historical Society Antique Show (Catalogue), West Chester, Pennsylvania: Chester County Historical Society, 1995, pp. 36-40.