High chest of drawers

Unknown

1750–60 · Maple, birch, white pine · The American Wing

Japanning, the use of paint and gilded gesso to imitate the glossy finish on Asian lacquerwork, was a popular method of furniture decoration in colonial Boston. This group of japanned furniture (40.37.1,.2,.4) descended in the Pickman family of Salem, Massachusetts, and is an extraordinary survival. The painted decoration on the high chest, dressing table, and looking glass is all by the same hand.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1750–60

Medium

Maple, birch, white pine

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1940