We are delighted and honored to offer for sale this wonderful late 18th century Chippendale period blanket box with the absolute best ochre paint decorated surface in an attractive golden brown color way. This 6 board blanket box is an absolute case study in early joinery techniques and is refreshingly unaltered. The chest retains it's original hand forged iron hasp and crab lock. The interior is fitted with a lift top candle till with two drawers below. The box is branded "Frank R Conrad" and "Henry R Conrad" on the interior. A convenient wooden shuttle can be used to prop open the molded lid for easier access. There's no evidence of snipe or strap hinges being in place on this early chest. We believe the old barrel hinges to be true and original with no evidence of them being moved. This chest is adorned with very handsome embossed ring pulls and heavy brass escutcheon plates. The drawers employ a molded edge design with hand hewed drawer bottoms rich with tool marks.
The painted surface is absolutely delightful. Decorated surfaces have long been practiced in cabinetmaking. Early pigments were created with various earthen elements like vermilion, iron oxide, and lead. Making the pigments was a laborious and dangerous task for early artisans of the period. This rare ochre painted grain surface is exceptionally well done by a talented and practiced hand. The chest stands on a bracket base with small decorative spurs furthering the symmetry and congruity of the box. We note a small, about 1" portion of the left bracket foot is missing. We have our restoration expert correcting the matter on this significant piece. The chest is a generous 50" wide x 24" deep x 28" tall. When the lid is fully extended at the highest point the height is 49 1/2".
