Queen Anne bonnet-top high chest of drawers, in two sections, the upper with a broken arch top with enclosed bonnet centered by the original ball finial and a crotch-veneered tympanum containing a fan carved center drawer over four graduated drawers each with crotch-veneered front and herringbone borders all over a base containing one long over three drawers each with crotch-veneer front and herringbone border, the drawers all retaining their original batwing brasses, the case sides constructed of solid walnut, the crotch-veneered apron is cyma shaped with cyma arched center continuing to and raised upon four cabriole legs with elevated pad feet. Provenance: Samuel Gardner (1712/13-1769, Salem, MA) Philip Horton Smith (1890-1960, Salem, MA) by descent Northeast Auctions "New Hampshire", August 2, 2003, lot 731 Sold for $271,250 (incl. BP) C.L. Prickett Antiques Distinguished New York Collection of American Furniture and Folk Art
Condition
In a remarkable state of preservation retaining its original surface with warm patina as well as original brasses. One finial stand and the two outer finials are replaced, other customary minor repairs including original herringbone banding needed regluing and sections of missing cross-band veneer on drawer dividers.to herringbone banding, [Conservation of Salem Q. A. Bonnet-Top Highboy in 2003: Conservation of highboy, overseen by C.L. Prickett Antiques: Replace sections of missing cross-band veneer on drawer dividers (27 in. total); re-glue loose veneer on various drawers and locations; replace missing knee return block; apply drawer runners (inside the originals, which will stay in same position) to four drawers; turn over six original runners inside top case (because of wear); re-glue upper right side case molding; re-glue plinth blocks; establish pattern, make, blend and finish two outer finials; repair very minor missing veneer at lower front lobe of apron; re-glue original small section at left corner of front cornice molding; blend all repairs and touch-up minor nicks in finish].