Extremely Fine and Rare Miniature William and Mary Turned and Joined Walnut Flat-Top High Chest of Drawers, Chester County, Pennsylvania, circa 1725

retains a rich historic surface, appears to retain its original cast brass hardware.

Iren B. Orwell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Charlotte and Edgar Sittig, Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pennsylvania;
Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, Cambridge, Maryland;
Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., New York, The Garbisch Collection Volume Four, Important American Furniture and Related Decorative Arts, May 23, 1980, sale H-2, lot 1054.

Lindsey, Jack. Worldly Goods: The Arts of Early Pennsylvania, 1680-1758, (Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1999) fig. 165, pg. 105, no. 41, pg. 143.

Patches to several drawer lips. Drawer in lower section rebuilt in the 18th century.
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.

During the Colonial period, miniature high chests of drawers like this one served as valuables cabinets and period inventory references indicate they stored prized household possessions such as jewelry and silver. One example listed in the 1750 estate inventory of Jacob Hibberd of Chester County contained gold and silver sleeve buttons, silver and brass shoe buckles, a pincushion with a silver chain, silver scissors and a thimble, eight silver teaspoons and a pair of silver tongs. The form was more popular in Pennsylvania than in any of the other American colonies and was produced there throughout the eighteenth century. Despite its small scale, this one closely follows the design and construction of its full-size Philadelphia counterparts in the William and Mary style. It incorporates the early characteristics of paneled sides, a single long drawer in its base, a broad waist and pediment moldings and ball-and-ring turnings.  Its construction required the efforts of the joiner and turner.

A related walnut valuables cabinet on stand was sold in these rooms, The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, October 29, 2004, sale 8016, lot 237. Another with a bonnet-top and pad feet made for Catharine Graeff of Lancaster sold in these rooms, The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Lammot Du Pont Copeland, January 19, 2002, sale 7757, lot 57. A flat-top example of cherrywood with slipper feet sold in these rooms, Fine American Furniture, Folk Art, Fine Paintings, & Silver, June 21, 1989, sale 5883, lot 418. One of walnut with a scalloped apron and trifid feet was sold at Sotheby Parke Bernet, The American Heritage Auction, November 16-18, 1978, sale 4180, lot 1068.