A FINE CHIPPENDALE FIGURED MAHOGANY SERPENTINE-FRONT CHEST OF DRAWERS, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, CIRCA 1770

branded E. Huse; Proper left rear foot facing replaced circa late 19th century. the serpentine-shaped top with squared protruding ends above a case of four graduated serpentine drawers with blocked ends and retaining original willow brass handles and escutcheons; the molded base supported by four straight bracket feet with spurred and ogival inner contours.

Eileen M. Shaw
Selia F. French, Gloucester, MA
Israel Sack, Inc., New York

American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection, Vol. 9., (Washington, DC: Highland House Publishers, Inc., 1989), p. 2396, no. P5990

William C. Ketchum, Jr., American Cabinetmakers: Marked American Furniture, 1640-1940, (New York: Crown Publishers, 1995), p. 180

there is a 6 in. by 3/4 in. surface patch to proper left rear corner of top; interior label reads, "Gloucester, Mass December 6 1930 my mother Mrs. Eileen M. Shaw was a collector of Antiques for many years and I know that this chest was one of her treasured pieces which she had owned for many years. This mahogany serpentine chest she used in her own room. It came to me through inheritance. It's probably over 200 years old. Yours sincerely, Mrs. Selia F. French."; locks appear to be original, hardware appears to be original; proper right rear scroll tip on foot facing replaced; proper left rear foot facing replaced circa late 19th century; proper left front foot and side foot facings are cracked and reglued; rich honey color.
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.

The name branded to the backboard of the chest is likely a fire brand rather than a cabinetmaker as previous documented. The practice of branding one's furniture in case of fire or theft was followed in a number of New England towns especially Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The Huse surname can be found in and around Essex county, Massachusetts in the eighteenth century.  One possible candidate is Enoch Huse who was born October 12, 1732 in Newbury, Massachusetts. He married a Rebecca Dennison in Ipswich on November 9, 1754 and died in Harvard on April 27, 1821. Another possibility could be Ebenezer Huse, born December 25, 1750 and died September 15, 1832.