Chest of Drawers

John Goddard

1755–85 · Mahogany, white pine, chestnut · The American Wing

This chest is one of a group of Newport pieces distinguished by their bold serpentine shapes and solid forms. The serpentine corner posts, raised-pad rear feet, and claw-and-ball front feet are similar to those on documented pieces by the cabinetmaker John Goddard (1724–1785). The curvilinear case and conforming marble top are unusual for eighteenthcentury American furniture and resemble those of French Louis XV–style commodes.

Artist

John Goddard

Date

1755–85

Medium

Mahogany, white pine, chestnut

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Purchase, Emily Crane Chadbourne Bequest, Gifts of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell and Mrs. Russell Sage, by exchange, and The Sylmaris Collection, Gift of George Coe Graves, by exchange, 1972