FULLY DEVELOPED CHIPPENDALE CHERRYWOOD BONNET-TOP HIGHBOY.

Circa 1775. Colchester Area, Connecticut. This highboy compares most favorably in design, cabinetwork and carving to all examples from the Connecticut Valley. It is a testament to mastery of innovation and familiarity with the work of shop traditions in New England and beyond, created of native cherry. The proportions and overall unity are enhanced by superior drawer organization and highly developed carvings. All of which contribute to this highboy’s claim to the height of Connecticut sophistication. There are multiple features that set this particular highboy apart from others of similar form. The boldly molded cyma scrolled cornice surmounted by carved counter-rotating fylfots; the complex highbred carving of the fan drawers; engaged fluted quarter columns on both upper and lower cases, all establishing an important and unified architectural drama; an arcaded apron with turned drop pendants (a Massachusetts characteristic and influence); the graceful sweep of the tall, ridged cabriole legs with superbly carved knees and returns with spirally concentric rings, and four spectacularly well-carved claw-and-ball feet. The bonnet has a most pleasing pitch to the cyma scrolled pediment with three plinths for the original spire-and-ball finials. The outer plinths appear to be continuations of the stop-fluted quarter columns: a common construction for plinths with pilasters or columns below. The tympanum board rises in a fashion and has a pleasing negative space, which strengthens the verticality of the bonnet. The moldings are cyma scrolled with a deep cavetto and the carved rosette termini are embellished with counter rotating applied fylfots. The top of the bonnet is fully enclosed with sheeting boards (establishing a roof). The interior of the box at the center has a complex molding returning to the backboard. This return molding is an unusual feature, and adds interest to the bonnet. As is typical of the most ambitious Connecticut examples the upper and lower carved drawers are potently different. The upper drawer is related to other shell treatments in the New London and Colchester area, notably from Samuel Loomis and Calvin Willey*. It is significantly influenced by Newport, Rhode Island designs of the Goddard Townsend shop. The decorative carving of the lower fan also exhibits remarkable refinement and complexity. The rays of both fans with incised crescents on the outer perimeter and stamped intaglio designs on the shell perimeter; punch-work designs of “fleur de lis” on the upper and “linked chain: on the lower. An unusually large number of rays to the shells with a stop-fluted applied convex sunburst at the bottom, relates to examples by Caleb Wiley and Benjamin Burnham*. The sophisticated joinery does not have exposed dovetails in the cases. Cherrywood primary, white pine and poplar secondary woods. SIZE: 83-1/2″ h x 39-3/4″ w x 19-1/2” d. PROVENANCE: Dr. Horace B. Haylett, East Hartford, Connecticut, 1935. Betty Barton Evans, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. CONDITION: In very good intact condition, finials are original, tips of drop pendants restored, very minor drawer lip repairs, age check in proper left front knee, maintained historic surface with pleasing color and light crazing. The brasses are period and in the original holes, and would appear original, but are different than those on the case when it was exhibited and pictured in 1935. LITERATURE & EXHIBITION HISTORY: “Three Centuries of Connecticut Furniture 1635-1935”. An exhibition at the Morgan Memorial, Hartford, as a part of the Celebration of the Tercentenary of Connecticut. (June 15 –October 15, 1935): cat.147 Cherry Highboy, Lent by Dr. Horace B. Haylett. REFERENCE: *Kugelman, Thomas P. and Alice K. “Connecticut Valley Furniture”; Connecticut Historical Society Museum; Hartford, CT; 2005; (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation high chest) cat, 51B, p. 123; (Lord Group knee and foot carving) cat. 96, p. 218; cats. 100, 101, 101A, pp. 225, 227-228; (Samuel Loomis chest-on-chest) cat. 105, pp. 235-237; (Calvin Willey high chest) cat. 111, p. 247. Christie’s Auctions, New York. “Important American Furniture and Folk Art – Wunsch Americana Foundation – Chippendale Carved Cherrywood Bonnet-Top High Chest-of-Drawers”. (January 20, 2012) sale 2533, lot 107. Levy, Bernard and S Dean. “Vanity and Elegance: An Exhibition of the Dressing Table and Tall Chest in America, 1685-1785”. (January 22- February 15, 1992) cat. 13, Queen Anne High Chest of Drawers. Walcott, William Stuart, Jr. “Isaac Tryon’s Cherry Highboy”. The Magazine Antiques (August, 1931): p. 99. 51319-1 (75,000-150,000) – Lot 2131

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2017

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2131	$0.00	FULLY DEVELOPED CHIPPENDALE CHERRYWOOD BONNET-TOP HIGHBOY. Circa 1775. Colchester Area, Connecticut. This highboy compares most favorably in design, cabinetwork and carving to all examples from the Connecticut Valley. It is a testament to mastery of innovation and familiarity with the work of shop traditions in New England and beyond, created of native cherry. The proportions and overall unity are enhanced by superior drawer organization and highly developed carvings. All of which contribute to this highboy’s claim to the height of Connecticut sophistication. There are multiple features that set this particular highboy apart from others of similar form. The boldly molded cyma scrolled cornice surmounted by carved counter-rotating fylfots; the complex highbred carving of the fan drawers; engaged fluted quarter columns on both upper and lower cases, all establishing an important and unified architectural drama; an arcaded apron with turned drop pendants (a Massachusetts characteristic and influence); the graceful sweep of the tall, ridged cabriole legs with superbly carved knees and returns with spirally concentric rings, and four spectacularly well-carved claw-and-ball feet. The bonnet has a most pleasing pitch to the cyma scrolled pediment with three plinths for the original spire-and-ball finials. The outer plinths appear to be continuations of the stop-fluted quarter columns: a common construction for plinths with pilasters or columns below. The tympanum board rises in a fashion and has a pleasing negative space, which strengthens the verticality of the bonnet. The moldings are cyma scrolled with a deep cavetto and the carved rosette termini are embellished with counter rotating applied fylfots. The top of the bonnet is fully enclosed with sheeting boards (establishing a roof). The interior of the box at the center has a complex molding returning to the backboard. This return molding is an unusual feature, and adds interest to the bonnet. As is typical of the most ambitious Connecticut examples the upper and lower carved drawers are potently different. The upper drawer is related to other shell treatments in the New London and Colchester area, notably from Samuel Loomis and Calvin Willey. It is significantly influenced by Newport, Rhode Island designs of the Goddard Townsend shop. The decorative carving of the lower fan also exhibits remarkable refinement and complexity. The rays of both fans with incised crescents on the outer perimeter and stamped intaglio designs on the shell perimeter; punch-work designs of “fleur de lis” on the upper and “linked chain: on the lower. An unusually large number of rays to the shells with a stop-fluted applied convex sunburst at the bottom, relates to examples by Caleb Wiley and Benjamin Burnham. The sophisticated joinery does not have exposed dovetails in the cases. Cherrywood primary, white pine and poplar secondary woods. SIZE: 83-1/2″ h x 39-3/4″ w x 19-1/2” d. PROVENANCE: Dr. Horace B. Haylett, East Hartford, Connecticut, 1935. Betty Barton Evans, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. CONDITION: In very good intact condition, finials are original, tips of drop pendants restored, very minor drawer lip repairs, age check in proper left front knee, maintained historic surface with pleasing color and light crazing. The brasses are period and in the original holes, and would appear original, but are different than those on the case when it was exhibited and pictured in 1935. LITERATURE & EXHIBITION HISTORY: “Three Centuries of Connecticut Furniture 1635-1935”. An exhibition at the Morgan Memorial, Hartford, as a part of the Celebration of the Tercentenary of Connecticut. (June 15 –October 15, 1935): cat.147 Cherry Highboy, Lent by Dr. Horace B. Haylett. REFERENCE: Kugelman, Thomas P. and Alice K. “Connecticut Valley Furniture”; Connecticut Historical Society Museum; Hartford, CT; 2005; (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation high chest) cat, 51B, p. 123; (Lord Group knee and foot carving) cat. 96, p. 218; cats. 100, 101, 101A, pp. 225, 227-228; (Samuel Loomis chest-on-chest) cat. 105, pp. 235-237; (Calvin Willey high chest) cat. 111, p. 247. Christie’s Auctions, New York. “Important American Furniture and Folk Art – Wunsch Americana Foundation – Chippendale Carved Cherrywood Bonnet-Top High Chest-of-Drawers”. (January 20, 2012) sale 2533, lot 107. Levy, Bernard and S Dean. “Vanity and Elegance: An Exhibition of the Dressing Table and Tall Chest in America, 1685-1785”. (January 22- February 15, 1992) cat. 13, Queen Anne High Chest of Drawers. Walcott, William Stuart, Jr. “Isaac Tryon’s Cherry Highboy”. The Magazine Antiques (August, 1931): p. 99. 51319-1 (75,000-150,000) – Lot 2131 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2017 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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FULLY DEVELOPED CHIPPENDALE CHERRYWOOD BONNET-TOP HIGHBOY.