A Mahantongo Valley Paint-Decorated Chest of Drawers

This late Federal chest with molded cornice under a rectangular top and four graduated drawers in poplar has a ground painted in solid green with Prussian blue and vermillion. The Germanic decorations which embellish the case are yellow, vermillion, white, black and green on baluster turned feet. A series of abstracted butterfly motifs surround the front case. A quarter fan decoration on the painted border frames out the angels and birds facing inward towards a stylized tulip which grows slowly from one thumb molded drawer onward. The cherry pulls are hand turned. Each geometric star motif on the recessed side panel features the inclusion of a segmented four-point compass star. A varnish coat protects the entire hand painted surface.

H 52″ D 21″ W 42″

c. 1835-1840