General Rhode Island

General Rhode Island

Rhode island has long been the epicenter of craftsmanship and taste when it comes to colonial furniture. This notion largely began with the Goddard and Townsend families of Newport, who dominated the furniture market and became known for their skill and artistry. Although even before these families flourished in the late 18th century, cabinetry was practiced at a high level throughout Rhode Island. Our piece was likely made in the first half of the 18th century. It is a high chest of drawers constructed in the William and Mary style. The high chest of drawers was present not only in America but also in Europe, however its popularity persisted much longer in the colonies than in England and elsewhere across the pond. As such the style is often considered distinctly American. The high chest of drawers, now referred to as a “high boy,” evolved from the ‘Hadley chest.’ Hadley chests are low to the ground storage units that open from the top. The fault in this design was realized when the difficulty of using the top surface of the chest became a hindrance. To fix this problem, pull out drawers were introduced, creating the chest of drawers. While the top of the chest was now available as a place to put things, owners of these chests became frustrated by having to bend down to reach the lower drawers. In response to this need, and in the growing height of architectural forms at the time, the chests began to be elevated off the ground by legs or small tables. The high chest of drawers reflects the two cornerstones of design, necessity and fashion. The chest would most likely have been placed in the room with the nicest bed within the house. As homes were not functionally divided the way they are today, this room was not necessarily the ‘bedroom’ in the modern sense, but could have also served as a place for social gathering, like the parlor. The chest would most likely have belonged to the woman of the household, and it would hold her valuables, such as linens, embroidered goods and other items from her trousseau.

Martha

7/31/14