Attributed to Langley Boardman (American, 1774–1833)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Chest of Drawers
INV-1338
Attributed to Langley Boardman (American, 1774–1833)
Portsmouth, New Hampshire1800–10
case furniturefurniture
Date
1800–10
Medium
Mahogany, oak, eastern white pine, and brass
Dimensions
90.2 × 110.5 × 59.7 cm (35 1/2 × 43 1/2 × 23 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Eric Oldberg, Timm R. Reynolds, and Edmund J. Doering II in honor of Mrs. Eric Oldberg; R.T. Crane Jr., Memorial Fund
Although the serpentine front and bracket feet of this chest recall the Rococo style of the previous century, the string inlay, the use of contrasting veneers, and the style of the stamped-brass drawer pulls clearly place this chest in the neoclassical or Federal style. Boardman brought this style to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, after having apprenticed in Salem, Massachusetts, an important cabinetmaking center in Federal America. The chest retains much of its original finish and all of its original brass hardware.