Apr 16, 2025 10:00 EST
American Paintings, Furniture, Silver & Decorative Arts
335
Chippendale Mahogany Bonnet-Top Block-Front Chest on Chest
Boston or Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1770, the carving possibly the work of John Welch
The upper section with molded scrolled cresting and three pierced flame-carved finials, above a cockbeaded case with a central shell-carved and punched short drawer flanked by shaped drawers, above four graduated long drawers, all flanked by reeded pilasters, set into the lower block-fronted section with four graduated drawers, raised on a conforming bracket base. Height to top of finial 7 feet 6 inches, lower case width 42 inches, lower case depth 22 1/2 inches.
Note: Several features of this chest-on-chest lead to a potential attribution to Benjamin Frothingham, Jr., the well-studied cabinetmaker from 18th century Charlestown, Massachusetts. The possible key to identifying the piece as the cabinetmaker’s work is the existence of a very similar chest-on-chest with Frothingham’s label, pictured in Boston Furniture of the 18th Century, University Press of Virginia, 1974, page vi, figure 1. The distinctive shells on each piece feature a scalloped design with alternating ridges, punchwork, high-relief scroll carvings, and leafage along the lower edge, and were likely executed by famed Boston carver John Welch, a known collaborator of Frothingham and other Boston cabinetmakers of the period. Similarities in other aspects of the carving and the cases point to Frothingham’s authorship, as well - the identical pilasters with pulvinated plinths, the overall drawer arrangement including the pediment-conforming drawers flanking the shell-carved one, and the rhythm of the blocking to the lower section. Other Boston-made pieces, including other chest-on-chests and a dressing table, feature similar carved shells. For illustrations of these, you can refer to Israel Sack’s New Fine Points of Furniture (1993), and Wallace Nutting’s Furniture Treasury (1928), no. 304. For an in-depth discussion of John Welch’s carving, see the essay “Roman Gusto in New England: An Eighteenth Century Boston Furniture Designer and His Shop,” written by Alan Miller and published in American Furniture, ed. Luke Beckerdite, The Chipstone Foundation, 1993.
Sold for $41,600
Estimated at $50,000 - $80,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Boston or Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 1770, the carving possibly the work of John Welch
The upper section with molded scrolled cresting and three pierced flame-carved finials, above a cockbeaded case with a central shell-carved and punched short drawer flanked by shaped drawers, above four graduated long drawers, all flanked by reeded pilasters, set into the lower block-fronted section with four graduated drawers, raised on a conforming bracket base. Height to top of finial 7 feet 6 inches, lower case width 42 inches, lower case depth 22 1/2 inches.
Note: Several features of this chest-on-chest lead to a potential attribution to Benjamin Frothingham, Jr., the well-studied cabinetmaker from 18th century Charlestown, Massachusetts. The possible key to identifying the piece as the cabinetmaker’s work is the existence of a very similar chest-on-chest with Frothingham’s label, pictured in Boston Furniture of the 18th Century, University Press of Virginia, 1974, page vi, figure 1. The distinctive shells on each piece feature a scalloped design with alternating ridges, punchwork, high-relief scroll carvings, and leafage along the lower edge, and were likely executed by famed Boston carver John Welch, a known collaborator of Frothingham and other Boston cabinetmakers of the period. Similarities in other aspects of the carving and the cases point to Frothingham’s authorship, as well - the identical pilasters with pulvinated plinths, the overall drawer arrangement including the pediment-conforming drawers flanking the shell-carved one, and the rhythm of the blocking to the lower section. Other Boston-made pieces, including other chest-on-chests and a dressing table, feature similar carved shells. For illustrations of these, you can refer to Israel Sack’s New Fine Points of Furniture (1993), and Wallace Nutting’s Furniture Treasury (1928), no. 304. For an in-depth discussion of John Welch’s carving, see the essay “Roman Gusto in New England: An Eighteenth Century Boston Furniture Designer and His Shop,” written by Alan Miller and published in American Furniture, ed. Luke Beckerdite, The Chipstone Foundation, 1993.
brasses appear original; 6 inch section to mid-molding replaced at rear right; left side molding reattached; chip to front left molding; shrinkage separations to case sides; age cracks to drawer bottoms; cracks to foot facings; patch to lower left side base molding; finials appear original; original backboards renailed; some glue blocking missing from underside
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.
Auction: American Paintings, Furniture, Silver & Decorative Arts, Apr 16, 2025
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Auction of American Paintings, Furniture, Silver & Decorative Arts on April 16, 2025 Saw Spirited Bidding
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Highlights include Albert Bierstadt's Old Faithful, Yellowstone
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We Invite You to Contact Us for Complimentary Auction Estimates of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY – Doyle's auction of American Paintings & Prints on April 16, 2025 saw strong prices for late 18th, 19th and 20th century works, including fine examples of portraiture; still lifes; nautical paintings and Hudson River, Western and regional landscapes.
Fine Art
The Fine Art section of the sale showcased late 18th, 19th and 20th century paintings, including fine examples of nautical paintings; portraiture; still lifes and Hudson River, Western and regional landscapes. Among the numerous highlights is an Albert Bierstadt, Old Faithful, Yosemite, from 1881.
Furniture & Decorative Arts
Showcasing an outstanding selection of 18th and early 19th-century American furniture and decorative arts, this sale brought to market exceptional examples of craftsmanship from urban and rural cabinetmaking centers, with a special emphasis on rare and historically significant pieces from Long Island.
At the heart of the auction was the The Chairman’s Collection, a remarkable assemblage of approximately 125 pieces of “high country” American furniture and decorative arts. This thoughtfully curated collection showcased masterful yet vernacular forms, richly patinated surfaces, and a deep connection to regional craftsmanship.The Chairman’s Collection also included a selection of Windsor Chairs, Long Island slip-decorated redware pottery, a locally owned and historical powder horn, and an excellent array of painted utilitarian objects—turned bowls, pantry boxes, firkins, and more. These pieces, with their distinctive forms and timeworn painted surfaces, embody the charm and character of early American rural craftsmanship.
In addition to The Chairman’s Collection, the auction featured exceptional examples of 18th-century Boston Chippendale block-front furniture, as well as a wide variety of fine pieces from other prominent urban areas.
Silver
The silver section showcases exceptional pieces spanning the 19th and 20th centuries by silversmiths from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and elsewhere, in addition to flatware services by Tiffany, Reed & Barton, Gorham, S. Kirk & Son and other makers.
PAYMENT
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· By credit card (an additional 3.5% fee will be charged)
· By wire transfer. For instructions, please email client.accounts@Doyle.com
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We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
