William & Mary blanket/mule chest

[jacon4]

Coastal Connecticut, 1690-1720

[ghopper1924]

Cool!

It's hard to believe that paint's original.

[jacon4]

It's hard to believe that paint's original.


LOL, well, maybe thats because it has been inpainted from losses to original paint decoration. The pulls are original though as is most of the chest. Although some inpainting has happened, still a stunning example of early american work.

[ghopper1924]

An amazing piece!!

[jacon4]

CORRECTION!!!

According to George Dudley Seymour (owner of chest who donated it to conn. historical society) in his condition report states "original decoration perhaps slightly retouched". This is quite common for chests of this age to have "issues", if it's perfect, it's probably not 300 years old.

Bottom line? I am THRILLED to be able to own this chest for even a short while, it's a national treasure and wonderful example of early american work. I just purchased it about 5 mins ago.

 

[mart]

I was about to ask if this was a new acquisition before I got to the last post !!!   Very nice Jacon4 !! 

[bigwull]

How different things are in the US...here,s this blanket chest,made from whitewood...which is  Spruce...yet over here in the UK..most of our old blanket chests or  Kists as we call them..are made of Yellow pine...which is Oregon Pine....you,d think it would be the opposite way round, as we have an abundance of Spruce trees, ...we also have Douglas Fir...which is also called Oregon Pine...

[jacon4]

Actually, the chest is poplar, which is a hard wood. It responds well to tools and paints like a dream, you see it most often in non painted american pieces as secondary wood.

[sapphire]

Bottom line? I am THRILLED to be able to own this chest for even a short while, it's a national treasure and wonderful example of early american work. I just purchased it about 5 mins ago.

 

I certainly hope you mean you're thrilled even after just 5 mins of having owned it........not, it'll be moving on to someone else!!

Absolutely beautiful piece! If only they could talk.

[mart]

And is usually used in furniture made in the NE  !!  In the south you will find the pine pieces along with a few others but predominately pine !!

I agree Sapphire !!  Lovely piece !!

[jacon4]

sapphire, well, you know, a piece of this age was here long before me and it'll be here long after i am gone so what i mean is this chest and i will have a nice visit, one really doesn't "own" this kind of work, it will continue on after my time with it.

[bigwull]

Actually, the chest is poplar, which is a hard wood. It responds well to tools and paints like a dream, you see it most often in non painted american pieces as secondary wood.

Oh i know poplar is a hardwood, ..i was only picking up what it says on the description note that you listed,..then googled ..whitewood.....and got Spruce...

[ghopper1924]

sapphire, well, you know, a piece of this age was here long before me and it'll be here long after i am gone so what i mean is this chest and i will have a nice visit, one really doesn't "own" this kind of work, it will continue on after my time with it.

In other words, you're a steward. That's a good attitude to have when thinking about pieces like this one, or any quality piece that was here before you and, with care, will be here long after you as well.

[jacon4]

bigwull, that description of "whitewood" was by Seymour himself written in 1945 at the time of his donation to the society. Since tulip poplar is white in color, i am guessing thats why he called it that. Seymour was born in 1859 in Hartford, was a prominent lawyer and acquired many pieces of early american furniture, all of which he donated to the connecticut historical society at the time of his death in 1945.
I think Seymour was using whitewood as a generic term, in this case, tulip poplar.

[jacon4]

In other words, you're a steward

ghopper, EXACTLY. anytime you get a piece of historical and artistic significance, thats been examined, published and in general, pawed over by many, there is a certain sense of responsibility that goes with it.
I have a ton of pics of this piece that i was going to post but since the photo feature is on the fritz here, it'll have to wait