Pennsylvania, circa 1765, figured mahogany throughout with poplar, white cedar, and yellow pine secondary, finely constructed and set with large, original batwing brasses and escutcheons, on original in-turned ogee bracket feet, mellow surface and rich brown color, molded single board top, fluted quarter columns, 31-1/2 x 38-3/4 x 21 in.; waist, 33-1/2 in.

Provenance: Per Horner, Mr. and Mrs. William W. Doughten; Philip Bradley, Downington Pennsylvania; Property from the Collection of Dudley and Constance Godfrey

Note: With its fine proportions and narrow waist, purity of condition and storied publication history, this exceptional chest is among the finest examples of this classic Philadelphia form. It is part of a small group of Philadelphia case furniture characterized by having in-turned ogee bracket feet and unusually refined construction. Other examples include a bureau table and a tall clock case housing a movement by Edward Duffield (1730-1803). The chest is illustrated in Horner's Blue Book of Philadelphia Furniture, plate 103, and Horner notes that "the bureau was constructed by Jonathan Shoemaker." No signature was found on the chest, but Horner undoubtedly had reason to indicate that Shoemaker (1726-1793). 

An impressive armchair and card table attributed to Shoemaker are in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. See Kirtley, American Furniture 1650-1840: Highlights form the Philadelphia Museum of Art, catalog nos. 46-47.