Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Seattle Art Museum (SAM)
menu
Skip Navigation Linksvisit
Image Coming Soon

High Chest

Image Coming Soon

High Chest

ca. 1785

Unknown artist

New London County, Connecticut

The cut-out onion shape in the center bottom edge of this flat-top high chest represents New London County, Connecticut, the onion capital of the American colonies in the eighteenth century. The wonderfully shaped drawers at the top seem to be unique to this piece. High chests of drawers were generally used in bedrooms to hold clothing and household linens.

Maple, tiger maple, chestnut, brass
Overall height: 81 in. (205.7 cm)
Base: 44 1/2 x 20 1/2 in. (113 x 52.1 cm)
Top: 40 1/2 x 18 3/4 in. (102.9 x 47.6 cm)
Gift of Ruth J. Nutt
2014.24.1
Provenance: Sold in the auction of the Edward Wheeler Collection (as stated by Albert Sack, 1997); Israel Sack, Boston, Massachusetts, 1928; Harry Aron, Boston, Massachusetts; Mr. Harry Aron willed the piece to a gentleman in Petersham, Massachusetts; (2006 On loan to Seattle Art Museum); Wayne Pratt & Co.
location
Not currently on view

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM