A PAINT-DECORATED BLANKET CHEST

PENNSYLVANIA, DATED 1797

细节

A PAINT-DECORATED BLANKET CHEST
Pennsylvania, dated 1797
The rectangular hinged lid with astragal-end reserve and applied molded edge opening to a single compartment interior fitted with a till, above a conforming case decorated with an astragal-end cartouche enclosing the inscription "ELIZABETH:HISTAND/DEN: 10 FEBRUARY 1797" above a red painted covered urn flanked by floral-and-leaf vines each topped with a bird over an applied mid-molding above two short sponge-decorated drawers over a molded base, on ogee bracket feet centered by a heart-pierced pendant, all on a black ground
30in. high, 50.3/8in. wide, 22in. deep

拍品专文

The paint decoration on the blanket chest illustrated here is in imitation of sulfur inlaid case forms. For an example whose scrolling leaf and urn sulfur-inlay may comprise a source for the blanket chest illustrated here, see Fabian, The Pennsylvania-German Decorated Chest(New York, 1978), p. 190, fig. 208.

While several Elizabeth Histands lived in Pennsylvania in the mid-late 18th century, none of their life dates appear to coincide in a manner that is relevant to the date on this chest. An Elizabeth Histand was born to David and Elizabeth (Bechtel) Histand on 12 December 1796 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Accordingly, it is possible though entirely conjectural that this chest may be in recognition of her recent birth.