upon-chest came into use. This, however, was not so much used as the highboy. Very few examples of either type are found.
In the Hepplewhite period the chest of drawers with the bowed front likewise prevailed, and the inlaid types are numerous. Many chests of drawers are found with the straight front inlaid in simple fashion, with French feet of Hepplewhite design. They were made in this style until 1810.
The type for chests of drawers, accepted as the American Sheraton, with three-quarter reeded columns at the corners, are rarely found. The Empire period brought many large and finely veneered pieces. Many were carved with the pineapple and acanthus leaf for motifs, but all of these are exceptionally large.
PLATES
PLATE I. Top—Carved Chest—Oak. (Virginia—c. 1650). An oak chest with the conventional flower carving. The stiles, which are the upright pieces at the ends of the front, usually form the feet for such chests. This piece shows the early type of decoration and construction.
PLATE I. Bottom—Dated Chest—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1796). A dated chest made for a member of the Wine family living in the Valley of Virginia. The date and the initials of the person it was made for are inlaid in the front. This type of chest was made from about 1730 to 1800. Earlier dated chests are found, but this is an example of a late period showing the overlapping drawer. (Property of William T. Sanger).
PLATE II. Top—Paneled Chest—Walnut. (Virginia—c. 1700-1730). A completely paneled chest of a very rare type. Stiles form the feet here, as in the early chests. Round pegs are used as a forerunner of the hinge. There was a hole at the rear of each of the wooden end pieces underneath the top of the chest to which these pegs were fitted. The pegs were also attached to the back of the chest itself to form the hinge. (Property of Charles Watkins).
PLATE II. Bottom—Cupboard with Chest Inside—Pine. (Virginia—c. 1710-1760). This piece, although of the cupboard type, has a chest with lifting lid inside. In the old inventories this type of cupboard was often designated as a chest instead of a cupboard. The iron H-hinges are visible in the illustration, and are of the type found on all types of earlier cupboards. (Property of Mrs. J. L. Brockwell).
PLATE III. Top—Chest with Slant Lid—Walnut. (North Carolina—c. 1760-1780). An unusually interesting type. It has a number of small drawers in the interior, one of which is made of metal enclosed with wood. The height of this piece and the slanting lid make it available for writing purposes. The chest is marked, "Made by John Hobson," together with other writing not distinguishable. Other pieces have been found marked with the same name. As this cabinetmaker cannot be located as working in any one section, he is believed to have been one of the many traveling craftsmen. (Property of Miss Willie P. Garland).
