December 5 & 6, 2018 Fine and Decorative Arts
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2018
Late 18th/Early 19th Century Pennsylvania, probably Mahantongo Valley. This outstanding pine chest, the surface comb-decorated, featuring three painted panels on the front. The central panel depicts a folk art rendition of Adam & Eve standing beneath an apple tree in which a yellow serpent is coiled, it's head toward the figure of Eve eating an apple. The central panel is flanked by tombstone panels, each depicting a tree beneath which stands a lion and leopard. The hinged lid with applied molded edge decorated with two tombstone panels in cream paint fastened to the conforming dovetailed chest with long wrought-iron strap hinges. The interior with lidded till. The chest with reeded molding, continuing to dovetailed bracket feet, with shaped and scalloped returns. the comb-decorated chest is in a terracotta red/brown paint. The interior of lid has a faint pencil inscription by the lock hasp that reads "Sarah Keller" in script. We noted a Sarah Keller, daughter of Abraham and Susanna Keller of Alsace Township, born in 1797, which at least has proximity to where this chest may have been made. Provenance: From a private collection Blountville, TN. Chest retains original surface, lid, feet, lock, and strap hinges. Lid with wear to paint and to any decoration once within the tombstone arches. Some loss to proper right rear foot. Otherwise untouched very fine condition. Note: We know of only one other similar example in the Winterthur Museum collection. This chest is illustrated in "the Pennsylvania-German Decorated Chest" by Monroe H. Fabian, published by Schiffler Publishing Ltd., 2004, pg.169 fig.167. and pg.211, Fig.241. In an article written by Lisa Minardi titled "From Millbach to Mahanlongo: Fraktur and Furniture of the Pennsylvania Germans", in Chipstone's "American Furniture, 2011", see figures 143, and 144 illustrating the Adam & Eve chest at Winterthur museum. In this article she states that she knows of only one other example of an Adam & Eve dower chest, but the location was unknown. CORRECTION: Estimate updated.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.
Item Dimensions: 20-1/2" H x 44" L x 21" D.