Chest-of-Drawers
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, To Give Flowers
MEDIUM
Ebonized cherry, other woods, modern marble top, brass
DATES
ca. 1880
DIMENSIONS
30 1/16 x 52 1/16 x 22 in. (76.4 x 132.2 x 55.9 cm)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
Stamped "HERTER BRO'S" on center top back. In script on top below marble: N1256" "Mills Esq". In pencil on back interior upper proper left
"3 3/4" and "L" (?) in script on center back interior above support for narrow drawer and below support in script "Ober" (German for "above"). Bottom of large top drawer in large script "1". Bottom of middle large drawer in large script "2" plus four smaller '2" . (Other drawer bottom not marked).
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
1989.69
CREDIT LINE
Modernism Benefit Fund
PROVENANCE
Ca. 1880, acquired, possibly commissioned from the artist, by Darius Ogden Mills of Millbrae, CA; between 1880 and 1989, provenance not yet documented; before 1989, reportedly acquired at an antiques market in Palm Beach, FL by Garrison Kingsley; before 1989, acquired from Garrison Kingsley by Neal's Auction, New Orleans, LA; by 1989, purchased from Neal's Auction by Richard and Eileen Dubrow Antiques, Bayside, NY; June 28, 1989, purchased from Richard and Eileen Dubrow Antiques by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Low chest-of-drawers, inlaid ebonized cherry. Elaborate inlay in Japanesque taste. One narrow drawer disguised in the frieze, three larger drawers of equal size below. The continuous frieze below the stepped top molding stretches around sides and front with rounded corners. Inlaid floral wood decoration has repeat of fourteen inches and consists of a flower, two bamboo shoots, another flower, two different bamboo shoots, a third flower disposed horizontally. There is a narrow pair of incised and gilt lines above and below the frieze. Interior of this drawer fitted with two small compartments in either front corner and a long compartment, center front, divided by shaped cedar dividers. Two squared U-shape brass handles secured with brass quatrefoil brackets secured with prominent half-round screws. Square, flat-face reeded stiles extend from below frieze and terminate in square flared feet. Three large equal sized drawers are set in below over hanging top narrow drawer. Three drawer fronts are divided unequally vertically with larger central section by reeded black wood bands. Side sections of middle large drawer have inlaid footed vase with large pendants at ears and band of stylized flowers below rim of vase. Six bamboo stems grow out of each vase and spread out over entire front of drawers with a dense symmetrical design with flowers and bamboo shoots. An inlaid horizontal light- wood horizontal narrow band extends across upper part of top large drawer as a trellis over which the meandering plants loop. Pair of glass pulls identical to those on top on each large drawer. Squared brass escutcheons with rounded corners around keyholes at center of each drawer. Below frieze on either side of cabinet is a vertical asymmetrical panel with meandering bamboo shoots and flowers, framed by incised and reeded gilt borders. White Imperial Danby marble top replaced after acquisition. Chest arrived with associated, later black marble top with gold and white veins, shaped edge, highly polished.
CONDITION - Very good original condition. Some fading of ebonized stain. Interiors of large drawers are very bright and high finish; probably cleaned and refinished. In frieze on either side are two screw holes. Marble replaced. Brass handles tarnished.
CAPTION
Herter Brothers (American, 1865–1905). Chest-of-Drawers, ca. 1880. Ebonized cherry, other woods, modern marble top, brass, 30 1/16 x 52 1/16 x 22 in. (76.4 x 132.2 x 55.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Modernism Benefit Fund, 1989.69. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1989.69_front_PS20.jpg)
IMAGE
front, 1989.69_front_PS20.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2024
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
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