dated 1871, case with strong yellow, blue, and green stylized decoration on bright red ground, painted with initials "JH" and date of 1871, poplar and yellow pine (by microanaylsis) construction, hinged lid with open interior with compartment with a sliding cover, original butt hinges and iron lock on brightly painted shaped feet, cut nail construction, 21-3/4 x 37-1/4 x 16 in.

Provenance:

according to correspondence from Richard and Betty Ann Rasso, family tradition states that this chest was made for Jane Hall, a descendant of Lyman Hall, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia (Lyman Hall has no known direct line of descendants; Jane Hall was possibly a relative through another line of the family); Elliott and Grace Snyder Antiques, Richard & Betty Ann and Rasso Antiques East, Chatham, New York, purchased July 6th, 1999; Property from Historic Dean Hall Plantation, South Carolina

Note: While the design precedents for this fascinating chest point to Europe, the yellow pine and poplar materials confirm its American and likely southern origin. The 1871 date of the chest and its unusual feet and paint design point to a first generation European immigrant working here. While the Georgia provenance is anecdotal, its connections to that state remain a strong possibility. Reconstruction era Georgia had a number of European communities, many of them enticed to the state for labor.

excellent condition overall, some minor surface splatter, edge wear and bumps including at front molding, slight warping to top, other minor wear and surface flaws