I've had several inquiries about the location of Thomas Nevell's account book and how I access the scans I've used in the posts. The account book is in the collection of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Several years ago the the account book was scanned … Continue reading Thomas Nevell Account Book
Mount Pleasant at 250 Years
In 1765, 250 years ago this month of May, Mount Pleasant was completed. Thomas Nevell, his journeymen and apprentices along with sub- contractors in other trades, were putting the finishing touches on the “plantation” that included a main house, two pavilions, a barn, a stable and carriage house, a smoke house, and a necessary. On … Continue reading Mount Pleasant at 250 Years
Dressing Table Restoration Part 4, Legs
The surviving rear leg on the dressing table was used as a model for shaping and carving two new front legs and one new rear leg. While only the sides of the rear legs had carving on the knees, the carving on the front legs wrapped around the knee completing the bilateral design. The matching … Continue reading Dressing Table Restoration Part 4, Legs
Dressing Table Restoration, Part 3, Corners
With the modern legs removed, the tenons of the front rail and sides are revealed. There are four separate tenons on the side board, the bottom tenon flush with the bottom of the side and the top tenon (the top tenon is cropped out of this photo) begins a half an inch below the top. … Continue reading Dressing Table Restoration, Part 3, Corners
“Mahogany Drawers With fret & Dentels”
The high chest with the paper label of Thomas Tufft in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art has not been web published to date but is on display in the American Art galleries in the museum. The carved fronds that would have spiraled off the volutes of the scroll mouldings are missing and … Continue reading “Mahogany Drawers With fret & Dentels”
In Proportion to the Trouble 