The Adams Family Very Fine and Rare Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Blocked-End Reverse Serpentine Chest of Drawers, Boston, Massachusetts, Circa 1770

This chest has descended through the Adams family of Boston, Massachusetts. Henry Adams (1583–1646) is the progenitor of the family and arrived in Boston in 1632.

In untouched condition, this chest represents a case form made in Boston from about 1770 to 1810 with a reverse-serpentine as an alternative design option to the block-front form. Capped with an overhanging top of conforming shape, the four drawers of the case below are enriched with swelled figured mahogany fronts and brass hardware. The handsome base is comprised of bold claw feet and scrolled knee brackets. Following Boston-area practice, it has drawers with a beaded edge, and claw feet with creased knees and retracted side talons. Wallace Nutting illustrates a very similar chest of this form as the property of Israel Sack.¹ Another closely related chest sold in these rooms Important Americana, January 18, 2008, sale 8440, lot 306 and was recently sold at CRN Auctions, The Americana Collection of G.W. Samaha, June 19, 2022, lot 18.

¹ Wallace Nutting, Furniture Treasury, vol. 1, (New York, 1948), no. 261.