Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Chest

Object Number

1938-01-15

Description

The case is made with two drawers and a removable top on four round spool turned legs which are cut out and stapled with steel wire to the body. The whole chest is covered with bright red Morocco leather which has darkened with age. Drawers are lined with red embossed paper in a floral trail design. Top is a pyramid shaped rectangle made up of spool and cove molding resting on a rectangle with four rounded corners of the same dimension as the legs. The drawers have ring pulls with a diamond design on a decorative petalled plate. There are three escutcheon (one above the drawer) with a crown and roses and thistle pulls on ends are baskets of flowers with a paw holding a plain ring. There are diapered anc acanthus leaf ferrules which on the tapered stump feet. There are bands fo tooled or stamped gold leaf applied between the ring turnings in various geometric designs. The top and wider band is elaborately worked with squirrels, monkeys, and birds in scrolls. Round portion of top has medallion ormolu mounts and there are corner mounts on all four of the corners of the bottom molding.

Comment

The lid of the chest is not attached and there is no evidence that it ever was. The awkward way it lifts off of the top of the chest indicates this this piece was not made to be used on a day to day basis. It is possible that Lord made it as a show piece to be displayed in his shop as an indication of craftsmenship and ornamentation.