In January 2009, Christie’s, New York, sold a small spice box described in their catalogue as a Chippendale Walnut Spice Cabinet, Probably Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1740-1780. Christie’s was not familiar with aspects of design and construction that could be found in work documented to John Head’s shop and missed an opportunity to attribute the spice … Continue reading Dealing with Drawers
John Head
Boxes in Boxes
John Head and his journeymen and apprentices knew how to make boxes. They made scores and scores of boxes; carcases of chest on chests, high chests and dressing tables, spice boxes, desks, 4-tier chests of drawers, and the drawers they contained. Hundreds of "boxes" were produced by joiners in the Head shop from the end … Continue reading Boxes in Boxes
Secondary Wood Species Part 2
In the previous post I characterized and illustrated the species that comprise the majority of the secondary woods encountered in Delaware River Valley furniture made before 1740 – white oak, Atlantic white cedar, and the hard pines. Another hardwood can be found used as a secondary wood in eighteenth century Delaware River Valley furniture more … Continue reading Secondary Wood Species Part 2
“The Joiners say, that among the trees of this country they chiefly use the black walnut-trees…” Peter Kalm
“The Joiners say, that among the trees of this country they chiefly use the black walnut-trees, the wild cherry-trees, and the curled maple. Of the black walnut-trees (Juglans nigra) there is yet a sufficient quantity. However careless people take pains enough to destroy them, and some peasants even use them as fewel. The wood of … Continue reading “The Joiners say, that among the trees of this country they chiefly use the black walnut-trees…” Peter Kalm
Penn’s Woods
“The trees of most note are the black walnut, cedar, cypress, chestnut, poplar, gumwood, hickory, sassafras, ash, beech; and oak of divers sorts, as red, white, and black, Spanish, chestnut, and swamp, the most durable of all; of all which there is plenty for the use of man.” Letter from William Penn, Proprietary and Governor … Continue reading Penn’s Woods
In Proportion to the Trouble 