Stickley Williamsburg Mahogany Shell Block Front John Townsend Chest Cw 207

Store Item: STICKLEY Williamsburg COLLECTION Mahogany Blackwell Serpentine Chest CW 201

Description: Block front shell carved case furniture reached the pinnacle of its development in Newport, Rhode Island during the 18th-century. This beautifully proportioned Townsend chest illustrates 18th-century aesthetic principles and decorative motifs in a distinctly American furniture form. Its bold design was inspired by classical architecture and required the use of large blocks of swirl-grained mahogany. Carved in alternating convex and concave blocks, the wood-rich front resembled piers, each topped with a handsome shell-carved cap. The chest is a reproduction of a cherished antique that resides in the masterworks gallery of Colonial Williamsburg’s DeWitt Wallace Museum. The antique is attributed to the cabinetmaking shop of John Townsend of Newport, RI, whose craftsmanship epitomized the block-front form among New England furniture-making shops.

Condition Report: Scuffs, scratches and wear as expected with usage. Overall a very nice piece.

Measurements: 35″ H x 38″ W x 21″ D