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Conservation Status: After Treatment
Chest of drawers
Conservation Status: After Treatment

Chest of drawers

Ralph Mason and Henry Messinger Shops (Mason (1599–1678/79); Messinger (died in 1681))
Thomas Edsall (American, born in England, 1588–1676)
1640–70
Object PlaceBoston, Massachusetts, United States
Medium/TechniqueOak, cedrela (Cedrela odorata), black walnut, cedar, ebony
Dimensions130.2 x 119.9 x 58.6 cm (51 1/4 x 47 3/16 x 23 1/16 in.)
Credit LineBequest of Charles Hitchcock Tyler
Accession number32.219
On View
On view
ClassificationsFurniture
Collections
Description
Produced at a time when most case pieces were simple chests or chests with a drawer or two below, this object-perhaps the earliest example of Boston furniture in the Museum's collection-is a full-fledged chest of drawers, an innovative form rarely made in America before 1690.  This unusual form makes use of exotic tropical hardwoods in its construction and decoration: a type of ebony was employed for the turned spindles in the upper case, and cedrela (Cedrela odorata), along with black walnut, was used for the façade and sides of both the upper and lower cases.  The use of imported woods from faraway locales reflects the impact of the English joinery tradition on American work, as well as the participation of Boston's craftsmen in an international world of trade and commerce as early as the mid-seventeenth century. The Museum's chest of drawers is among a small group of London-style Boston furniture attributed to the combined shop traditions of Ralph Mason, Henry Messinger, and Thomas Edsall.This text was adapted from Ward, et al., MFA Highlights: American Decorative Arts & Sculpture (Boston, 2006) available at www.mfashop.com/mfa-publications.html.
Perhaps the earliest example of Boston furniture in the Museum's collection, this is a full-fledged chest of drawers, an innovative form rarely made in America before 1690. Exotic tropical hardwoods in its construction and decoration include ebony for the turned spindles in the upper case and cedrela (and local black walnut) for the facade and sides of the upper and lower cases. The use of woods imported from far away reflects the participation of Boston's craftsmen in international trade as early as the mid-seventeenth century.
InscriptionsTop right drawer inscribed: "J Murray, A [?] Murray, Michael [?] Murray" Drawers numbered on bottom.ProvenanceEarly history unknown; lent by Charles H. Tyler, October 3, 1928, and made part of his bequest in 1932 (Accession Date September 1, 1932).
Cabinet of boxes
Ralph Mason and Henry Messinger Shops
1660–1700
Chest of drawers
Ralph Mason and Henry Messinger Shops
1680–1710
Group shot: 2019.604.1-2
late 17th–early 18th century
Group shot: 2019.604.1-2
late 17th–early 18th century
Desk (escritorio)
18th century
Serge chair
Symonds Shops
about 1685–95
Little board chest
Tilden Shops
1675–1700