Estate of Joe and Betsy Byerly | January 29, 2026
Thu, Jan 29, 2026 10:00AM EST
Lot 22
Rare North Carolina Former MESDA Paint Decorated Yellow Pine Blanket Chest
Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000
Sold for
$26,000
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
attributed to Alamance County, early 19th century, dovetailed construction, top with applied molding, two drawers, dovetailed bracket feet with scrolled returns, original paint with tulips and neoclassical trim, 26-3/4 x 49-3/4 x 21-1/4 in.
Provenance: Formerly collection of MESDA, deaccessioned March 2011; Estate of Joe and Betsy Byerly, Greensboro, North Carolina
Note: This chest was recorded by MESDA as photo number S-1248. Files notes record the following:
"The evidence of Pennsylvania-German folk culture in North Carolina is rare, despite the large number of Germanic settlers moving to the Piedmont after the 1740s. Decorated chests, fraktur, and other such hallmarks of the Rhenish Palatinate and Swiss peasant styles of Pennsylvania were not produced in North Carolina with the same fervor, judging from the small number of surviving examples. A partial explanation for this is that many of the so-called Pennsylvania German styles developed in the 19th century after the southward migrations.
RELATED WORKS: This chest is one of two decorated chests executed by the same cabinetmaker; the second, which is slightly more elaborate, is privately owned. Particularly unusual in the decoration is the use of bands of painted lozenges which resemble Neoclassical inlay; this detail also occurs on the second chest, along with the general design of the tulip motifs and the predominately dark colors of the decoration. The origin of the two decorated chests appears to be indicated by a walnut chest (S-5564) and a walnut chest-of-drawers (S-5563) attributed to the same cabinet shop. These two pieces descended in the Anthony family of Alamance County.
CONSTRUCTION: A very typical Germanic construction detail used on this chest is the wedging of all of the drawer and case dovetails; this occurs on each of the four pieces attributed to the shop."
Available payment options
Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
Formerly collection of MESDA, deaccessioned March 2011; Estate of Joe and Betsy Byerly, Greensboro, North Carolina
expected wear and distress to painted finish MESDA notes indicate that some later varnish overcoats were removed), later brasses, two feet with restoration to breaks, one with replaced facing. From the MESDA file notes： "Chest has the original paint. __It has been varnished over a number of times and the decoration was barely visible. The varnish was removed to expose the design." Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
