Chest-of-Drawers

ca. 1770

Goddard-Townsend School, Deeply molded top above a case incorporating three long block fronted drawers, the upper one carved with a concave flanked by two lobed convex shells, the molded base continuing to pierced scroll carved ogee bracket feet, incorporating a shell form device, brass bail handles. “V,” in chalk, on interior back of all drawer; “Mrs. W. H. Nichols Jr. / Oyster Bay / N.Y.,” in graphite, on proper-right interior side of all drawers; “X,” incised on interior front of lower drawer.

American, Rhode Island

mahogany, secondary wood: pine, brass

Overall: 34 x 38 x 19 1/2 in. (86.4 x 96.5 x 49.5 cm)

Jonathan Nichols (1700–1774), Newport, Rhode Island; by descent in the Nichols family; by descent to Mrs. William Payson Viles (née Marian Nichols, died 1954) and her husband, William Payson Viles (1906–1986), New York, and Augusta, Maine; sold by him to Israel Sack, Inc., New York; sold by them to Lansdell K. Christie (1903–1965), Syosset, New York; by descent to Mrs. Lansdell K. Christie, Syosset; consigned by her to Sotheby Parke Bernet, Inc., New York, October 21, 1972, lot 80.

1999.531