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Lot Essay
This block-front chest-on-chest is an excellent example of a classic form. From Boston or the North Shore of Massachusetts, this piece showcases blocked bracketed feet, which appear to have been shaped in situ, and a giant dovetail characteristic of the Boston area. It bears similarities to a block-front chest-on-chest attributed to Benjamin Frothingham (1734-1809) (Israel Sack, Inc., American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection, vol. VIII (1986), pp. 2178-9), which displays a similar carved fan with thumbnail border on the upper case, along with fluted pilasters and a high arch bonnet.
The third drawer bottom in the lower case includes period writing, which appears to be a portion of an order that was recorded on a plank of wood prior to its incorporation into the piece. The words Johnson and Pleas to send to [sic] are visible, and the loops of absent letters underneath this statement hint at a now-unknown purchaser or location. Other period writing includes Bottom on the underside of the lower case, and numbered drawer backs.
The third drawer bottom in the lower case includes period writing, which appears to be a portion of an order that was recorded on a plank of wood prior to its incorporation into the piece. The words Johnson and Pleas to send to [sic] are visible, and the loops of absent letters underneath this statement hint at a now-unknown purchaser or location. Other period writing includes Bottom on the underside of the lower case, and numbered drawer backs.