17 of 28 lots
17
A Rare Federal Carved Butternut or Walnut Peaked Pediment Tall Chest
Estimate: $4,000-$6,000
Sold
$27,500
Live Auction
Selections of Fine Americana from the Millhiser Collection
Description

A Rare Federal Carved Butternut or Walnut Peaked Pediment Tall Chest

Robert Matthews, Guilford County, North Carolina, Dated "1797"

The center short drawer inscribed to back, "Round is My ring and hath no end/ So is my My love with my friend," another short drawer initialed,"RM," the underside of case dated in chalk, "May 28, 1797," and the rear runner above lowest drawer inscribed in red crayon, "Robert Matthews his hand december 27, 1797."

Height 74 1/2 x width 44 1/4 x depth 19 inches.

Condition
refinished; with a few round patches over burl areas; backboard replaced, interior inscribed of back rail inscribed in pencil: Made May 27, 1797/ restored May 14, 1930 by A. Antonelli; repaired breaks and/or mends to each foot facing, with replaced segment to back right facing foot, and a replaced segment to one scroll; some replacements to drawer rails; patch to front left-facing edge of base; blocking to feet mostly replaced; with several patches or repairs to drawer faces, including replaced segment along full top edge of 2nd from bottom drawer; bottom two drawers with losses to upper right corners; one short drawer with scuffing / scraping to upper right corner; top right-most short drawer with cracks to underside rails and loose bottom board; middle top short drawer with Quaker spring lock; interior of drawers lightly stained, drawers with probable repairs and restorations; likely with original brasses; retains locks and one key; with some repairs to cornice; with minor occasional scuffs or scrapes commensurate with age and use; loss to a dentil to right front-facing corner; pinwheel is doweled and detachable
Provenance
Provenance:Purchased from William S. Ahern, Richmond, Virginia, February 1, 1933,E. Ross (1894-1971) and Bessie S. Millhiser (1895-1987), Richmond, Virginia,Kenneth (1924-2021) and Katherine Millhiser (b. 1937), Piedmont, California.