The Ranlett Family Very Fine Federal Figured Rosewood, Birchwood and Mahogany Bow-Front Chest of Drawers, Portsmouth, New Hampshire circa 1810

appears to retain original hardware. Retains a dark historic surface.

By descent through the Ranlett family to:
Captain Augustus Ranlett (1804-1878), who was the captain of the first clipper ship built in Boston.  He was also president of the Billerica and Bedford Railroad which was the first "2 footer" railroad in America;
Seth Alonzo Ranlett, son;
Col. Charles A. Ranlett (1874-1961), son;
Evelyn Ranlett Hutcheson (1906-1979), daughter;
To the present owners

Secondary wood is white pine. Minor losses to banding veneer. Minor discoloration to 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.

With its brilliant crotch birchwood veneer framed with figured rosewood this chest is very similar to two Portsmouth examples illustrated in Brock Jobe, Portsmouth furniture: Masterworks from the New Hampshire Seacoast, (Boston: Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, 1993), p. 114-5, no. 11 and 11A.  This chest can be attributed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire due to the presence of spurred French feet and that the base string inlay goes straight across the skirt. Thomas Hardiman Jr. discussed in his article, "Veneered furniture of Cumston and Buckminster, Saco, Maine", The Magazine Antiques, vol. 159., no. 5 (May 2001), pp. 754-61, that Saco, Maine chests do not share these features.