Bombe Chest of Drawers

Details

Descriptive Terms

case furniture
mahogany (wood)
eastern white pine (wood)
brass (alloy)
Chest Of Drawers

Label

New York Winter Antique Show, January 2010: The swelled bombé form of this chest, popular among New England's eighteenth-century elite, required a particularly skilled craftsman. Recently furniture scholars have identified the maker of this chest as Nathaniel Gould, one of the most prolific cabinetmakers in Salem, Massachusetts. Based on the details of its construction and its provenance, they believe this chest is one listed in Gould's account books and sold to Andrew Cabot of Salem and Beverly in 1781.
Highlights of the furniture collection: The swelled bombe form of this chest, popular amongst New England's elite, required a particularly skilled craftsman. Recently furniture scholars have identified the craftsman as Nathaniel Gould, one of the most prolific cabinet makers in Salem, Massachusetts. Based on the details of its construction and its provenance, they believe this chest is the one listed in Gould's account books and sold to Andrew Cabot of Salem and Beverly in 1781.

Inscription

Top drawer: "5" Second drawer from top: "6" Third drawer from top: "7" Fourth drawer from top: "8" Under top: "Hay / [illegible] to [illegible]" (Chalk marks)

Associated Person

Cabot, Andrew, Mr., 1750-1791

Additional Identification Number

3370

Maker

Attributed to Gould, Nathaniel (Cabinetmaker)

Location of Origin

Salem, Massachusetts

Dimensions

36 1/4 x 39 x 21 1/2 (HxWxD) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. Charles F. Batchelder, Jr.

Accession Number

1984.21

Places

Massachusetts (United States)
Salem (Essex county, Massachusetts)