Chest of drawers (High chest)

Description

Flat-top, straight-front, japanned high chest of drawers on cabriole legs with pad feet made in two sections. The upper case has a projecting cornice above a wide coved molding. The molding on the front forms a blind, shallow drawer. Below are two short drawers over three long graduated drawers. The drawers are flush with the case. Double-bead molding is applied to the case. Shallow ogee molding is applied at front and side edges of the bottom of the upper case. The lower case has projecting waist molding applied to front and sides. Its two-tiered five-drawer arrangement has two shallow drawers above, and two deep drawers flanking a central shallow drawer below. The front skirt has a large central arch flanked by stepped flat arches with pendant drops between. The side skirts are shaped with an ogee arch. Both the front and side skirts are finished with an applied bead. The lower case has slender cabriole legs with plain, creased knees terminating in cushioned pad feet with raised center ribs on disks. Front and side knee brackets are glued over the skirts. The entire surface of the piece is japanned in black and red in imitation of tortoiseshell and features chinoiserie scenes, figures, animals, and birds in gesso and gilt. The five drawers of the upper case are fitted with locks and elaborate engraved brass keyhole surrounds. The drawers of the upper and lower cases are fitted with engraved brasses with oval bail handles.