Found! Newport Chest of Drawers

March 5, 2010

 

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Chest of drawers, c. 1760-1770
Mahogany
Possibly John Townsend Shop, Newport

This stunning example of Newport cabinet making  has been in the Historical Society’s collection storage since 1959. It has received little or no attention until recently. Once removed from its storage location, it revealed itself as a true beauty in its design and its workmanship. In his seminal book ‘The Arts and Crafts of Newport Rhode Island, 1640-1820’, Ralph Carpenter wrote of such pieces:

“Because of the fame acquired by the block-front, shell carved case pieces of the Townsend-Goddard family, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that many pieces of plainer design, but of equally good cabinet work and materials, were made in quantity.  Many of these have been overlooked or unrecognized as part of the Newport output”.

The chest of drawers displays many of the stylistic elements associated with Newport pieces in general and pieces known to be the work of members of the Townsend family in particular. Made from beautifully figured mahogany, the matched drawer fronts create a remarkable visual effect that is enhanced by the complex curves of the unusual, reverse-serpentine front. Construction details such as the fineness of the dovetailing, the addition of runners nailed to the bottom of the drawers and the arrangement and carved details of glue blocks and feet behind the brackets, are all traits associated with the John Townsend shop.