The Key Family Fine Queen Anne Carved Cherrywood Bonnet-Top High Chest of Drawers, Connecticut River Valley, Massachusetts or Connecticut circa 1780

Appears to retain its original hardware. Retains a dark historic surface. Finials replaced with late 18^{th century clock finials.}

This high chest has descended for generations in the family of Francis Scott Key (1779-1843).

His daughter Anna Arnold Key (1811-1884), married to a U.S. congressman from North Carolina, Daniel Turner (1796-1860) acquired it upon the death of her mother, Mary Tayloe Lloyd Key (1784-1859).

It is believed that Francis Scott Key originally acquired the high chest from his father, John Ross Key (1754-1821), of Frederick, Maryland, whose heir he was.

After the death of Anna Arnold Key Turner in 1884, possession of the high chest fell to her daughter, Ellen Key Turner (1830-1907) who married a Dr. John S. Messersmith, U.S. Navy surgeon to the USS Constellation.  It was her daughter, Anna Key Messersmith (1866-1961), who was next to inherit the piece.

Anna Key Messersmith and her husband James Edward Palmer, Cmdr., USN  (d. 1927) left no children and therefore bequeathed the piece to her grand-niece, Alice Cutts Wainwright (1907-1991) of Coconut Grove, Florida, who was the great, great grand daughter of Francis Scott Key.

Since 1991, the high chest has been in the collection of another Key descendant.

The secondary woods are poplar and white pine; several of the drawer runners in the upper case restored; appears to retain its original hardware; never had drops on apron; proper left rear leg cracked and glued; botton drawer of the upper case has two patches to drawer lip: one measures 4 ¼ inches and the other measures 5 ½ inches; second-most lower drawer has two drawer lip patches: one measures 2 inches and the other 4 ¾ inches; middle drawer has a 5 ¾ inch patch to drawer lip on proper left side; upper most long drawer has 5 ¾ patch to drawer lip on proper left side and a 1 ¾ patch to drawer lip on proper right side; proper right small drawer has a 4 ¾ inch patch to drawer lip; the lower case long drawer has a 4 ¾ inch patch on proper left side.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.