A Chippendale Reverse-Serpentine-Front Chest of Drawers, Possibly by Abraham Watson (1712-1790), Boston, Massachusetts, Circa 1770

Of rare diminutive size and with finely articulated bold claw feet, this serpentine chest of drawers represents an expensive case form made in the Colonial Boston area during the eighteenth century. It has survived with its original brass hardware and an old dry surface. It is design and construction relates directly to pieces that have been attributed to the cabinetmaker Abraham Watson including a desk-and-bookcase attributed to Abraham Watson of Salem in the collection of the Peabody Essex Museum (acc. no. 127148).1 Another similar desk-and-bookcase was offered by Israel Sack, Inc. and slant-front desk was sold at Keno Auctions.2 A chest-on-chest in a private collection has a base and feet nearly identical to this lot was discovered in Gloucester, Massachusetts.3 A chest from the same shop descended in the Rowe Family from Boston, Massachusetts.4

1 Dean A. Fales, Jr., Essex County Furniture, Documented Treasures from Local Collections, 1660-1860, (Salem, MA: Essex Institute, 1965)

2 American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection, vol. 6, (Washington, DC: Highland House Publishers), p. 22 and 1640–1641, no. P4752 and Leigh Keno Auctions, New York, Americana, Paintings, Furniture & Dec. Arts, January 17, 2012, lot 94.

3 Sotheby's New York, Important Americana, January 22-23, 2004, sale 8053, lot 1169.

4 Replica Shoes 's, New York, Important Americana, January 21, 2018, sale 9805, lot 831 and Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana, January 23, 2023, lot 844.