The chest descended in the Janvier family and has earmarks of their cabinetry, although, without the strong provenance, those physical features are not adequate to identify Janvier work to the exclusion of other furniture makers from the Mid-Atlantic region. The woods are of the appropriate species, and the mahogany is of good quality, displaying an attractive grain. More telling, the undersides of the drawer bottoms have neatly spaced, multiple glue blocks on the sides and fronts and five nails across the back, representing the thoroughness verging on excess that is characteristic of much Janvier work.
Miniature Chest of Three Drawers
Dimensions
15-5/8 in. x 17-1/4 in. x 11 in.
Material
Mahogany, lightwood stringing; tulip poplar (drawer sides, dustboards, case bottom), white cedar (drawer bottoms with grain side to side)
Condition Notes
The top two keyholes exhibit repairs. An unnecessary hole below the bottom drawer keyhole may have been for a center pull. Other pulls are later.