This delicate and visually striking washstand is part of a group that consists of some of the finest Federal furniture produced in Portsmouth. Made for the Reverend Samuel Haven (1749-1806), minister of the south Parish Church, fellow______ James Rundlet, Samuel Larkin, and Josiah Bartlett of Kingston also patronized this shop. Merchant James Rundlet purchased several objects from this craftsman, including a pair of card tables, a one-drawer stand, pembroke table and a pair of sofas (Jobe, ed., Portsmouth Furniture (SPNEA, 1993), figs. 63, 66, 105). These objects may have originated from the shop of cabinetmaker Langley Boardman whom Rundlet patronized from 1802-1806 when he purchased among other items, a pembroke table and night table, the latter which could refer to the one-drawer stand noted in the ledger. Rundlet's later accounts do not survive but it is likely that Rundlet continued to purchase from Boardman, particularly as the two were neighbors (Rundlet Ledger B, SPNEA archives; Jobe, 8A, 66).

A visual analysis of this washstand with the above objects tie it to the same shop. The related features include the turnings on the legs which are identical to those of the card tables in their cylindrical feet, wide reeds that are rounded at the top, and the turned collar, urn and rings, also evident with slight variations on the other pieces from the group. Because a single turner could have supplied several craftsmen with the same legs, further evidence must be sought for attribution to one shop and it is found in the distinctive combination of inlay and use of wood. The outward direction of the figured flame birch veneer on the drawer front and rail outlined in light and darkwood checkered string inlay is identical to the execution of the rails on the pair of Rundlet card tables. The mahogany veneer stiles outlined in lightwood stringing also relate to the outer edge of the top and leaf of this pair of tables.