A VERY FINE CHIPPENDALE CARVED MAHOGANY BLOCK-FRONT CHEST-ON-CHEST, attributed to Benjamin Frothingham, Jr., Boston, Massachusetts circa 1770

in two parts, the upper case with a molded scrolled pediment with three corkscrew and urn finials above a conforming case fitted with two short drawers flanking a shell and acanthus carved central drawer over four graduated long drawers all with cockbeaded surrounds, the whole flanked by outset fluted pilasters, the lower case with conforming outset mid-molding above four graduated and blocked long drawers with cockbeaded surrounds over molded and shaped base, on bracket feet.  Appears to retain its original hardware, finials and finish.

Foot facings cracked all at approximately 3 inches from the base, while cracked, all foot facings appear to be integral and not repaired, retains a dry surface with numerous scratches and blemishes, chipping to fluting on proper left applied pilaster, proper right finial now glued in place, appears to retain original hardware, patch to right side of lower section at location of mid molding approximately 2 inches by 1 inches, white pine secondary.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Surviving with its original finials and hardware, this chest-on-chest displays a distinctive elaborately-carved shell that relates it to a group of case furniture attributed to Benjamin Frothingham, Jr. (1734-1809) of Charlestown. This attribution is based upon a chest-on-chest displaying Frothingham's label with a very similar overall configuration and carved shell. That chest descended in the Fiske family of Weston, Massachusetts and is currently in a private collection.¹  Both chests are of the same form with fluted pilasters, a blocked lower case, a related drawer configuration, and identical pilaster plinths. Their shells are similarly comprised of an inner scalloped shell enclosed by circle- and notched-incised ridges alternating with striated-incised ridges above high relief acanthus carving, all articulated within an arch with a punchwork ground.

 

A high chest of drawers with a very closely related carved shell descended in the Hancock family of Boston.²  Its companion dressing table with an identical shell sold in these rooms, The Collection of Doris and Richard M. Seidlitz, January 30, 1988, lot 1771. The latter two case pieces also display cockbeaded drawer surrounds and similar urn finials. Another shell of this type appears on a chest-on-chest in a private collection that descended in the Cabot-Perkins family of Boston from either Samuel Cabot, Sr. (1758-1819) or Thomas Handasyd Perkins (1764-1854).³  Other chest-on-chests with this distinctive embellishment include two illustrated by Israel Sack, Inc., one illustrated by Wallace Nutting as the property of W.W. Smith of Providence, and one included in the Girl Scouts Loan Exhibition of 1929.⁴

¹ See Richard Randall, "Benjamin Frothingham," in Boston Furniture of the Eighteenth Century, 1974, fig. 1, p. vi

² Christie's, The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. James L. Britton, January 16, 1999, sale 9068, lot 606

³ Christie's, Important American Furniture, Silver, Prints, Folk Art, and Decorative Arts, January 16, 1999, sale 9054, lot 702

⁴ See Israel Sack, Inc., American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection, Vol. IV, P3741, pp. 1056-7, Albert Sack, The New Fine Points of Furniture, New York, 1993, p. 123, Wallace Nutting, Furniture Treasury, Vol. I, 1928, no. 304, and Loan Exhibition of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Furniture & Glass ... for Benefit of the National Council of Girl Scouts, Inc., New York, 1929, no. 619