A Chippendale reserve-serpentine carved cherrywood chest of drawers, Connecticut circa 1790

with Bottom inscribed in chalk on base.

Secondary wood is white pine. Slight abrasion to proper left swell of front edge of top.
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.

Chests with reverse serpentine facades were popular in America from the 1760s to the end of the century, particularly in Massachusetts, Philadelphia and Connecticut. This superb example exhibits a visually dynamic design. Its overhanging top and the base molding conform to the bold undulating rhythm of the blocked serpentine front, which is further enhanced by the matched highly figured veneers and vertical rows of original brasses. The case is supported by robust ogee-bracket feet with inner brackets following the contour of the blocking.

A closely related Connecticut cherrywood oxbow four-drawer chest of drawers sold at Christie's, October 21, 1989, sale 6922, lot 220 is signed by George Belden (1770-1838) of Hartford, Connecticut. A secretary also signed by Belden and dated 1791 with a similar lower case is illustrated in John Kirk, Connecticut Furniture: Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, 1967, p. 77, no. 131. Another related four-drawer example also illustrated in Kirk (no. 66) features a top drawer fitted as a dressing bureau. One with four ogee bracket feet was sold in these rooms, Important Americana, January 21-22, 2000, sale 7420, lot 697. One from the collection of Gunston Hall Plantation was sold in these rooms, Property from the Collection of Gunston Hall Plantation, January 20, 2002, sale 7753, lot 1119. An additional example with four ogee bracket feet was sold in these rooms, Important Americana, January 18, 1998, sale 7085, lot 1758 as part of the Ream collection.