Chippendale high chest, mahogany, ornately carved, Phila-inspired Rococo style. Top section has scrolled broken arch pediment with central cartouche (attrib. to Phila carver, Martin Jugiez) and fully relief-carved vine tympanum, leading down to large central drawer w/ large carved shell & surrounding vines. Two small drawers flank center drawer, under which are 4 full-length, graduated drawers with original Chinoiserie brasses. Fluted corner columns on upper case; vine & leaf-carved corner columns on lower case.
Lower chest has top full-length drawer over 3 small drawers that mirror the 3 drawers at top. Again, the center drawer is fully carved. Below drawers is a fully vine-carved skirt w/ shaped bottom. Has 4 carved fully articulated cabriole legs w/ acanthus knees and ball and claw feet and original brass casters.
Original owner Matthias Slough was a colonel in the Rev. War, a superintendent of the Philadelphia to Lancaster Turnpike, a county coroner and treasurer, and tavernkeeper of the White Swan. Buried in St. James Episcopal Cemetery.
Made by unknown Lancaster Borough workshop.
Provenance
Original owner believed to be Mathias Slough, based on a 1934 letter from Ethel Torrington Davis to Mr.(James?) McCormick. Ms. Davis states her mother received story from her mother Mrs. Beatty. Mathias Slough married Mary Gibson and had three daughters. The oral tradition is that each daughter was given a high chest. These chests then descended in the family, one of which descended through the mother of Ethel T. Davis to James McCormick (in payment of an outstanding debt). This info researched by John J. Snyder.
From a July 1975 letter, donor George J. Finney recalls the highboy in the home of James McCormick of Hbg, his grandfather. After his death in 1917, it stayed with the house & his son Donald McCormick until his death in 1945. It was then put up for sale at auction of household good but failed to sell due to price not meeting expectations of executors. Donor learned of this, and in 1946 he offered to buy it for $2,500 and the estate accepted. Donor has owned highboy since 1946. Upon the death of the donor, it was bequeathed from his estate.
Multiple repairs (e.g. pieced out around drawers); refinished; some losses, most noticeable in some cartouche elements and leaves of rosettes. Finials missing the ball at mid section. Cosmetic conservation done by Cory Berrett April 1992.
Repairs made 12-2-09 by Winterthur conservator in consultation with curator Wendy Cooper (see conservation report in file). Major changes: broken off rosette leaf tips replaced; missing finial balls and top plates of plinths replaced.
Object ID
G.92.06
Notes
John Snyder states that mahogany is unusual for Lancaster Co. high-style pieces. Secondary woods are poplar and pine.
He notes six or fewer high chests of this Lancaster County Chippendale design are known to exist, and that of these six, "this piece is unquestionably the finest example." (Based on artistic evaluation, condition and provenance. Of these other chests, 2 are in private collections, one is in the State Department collection at Yale University, and the others' whereabouts are currently unknown.
Snyder says this high chest is closely related structurally to the famous Chippendale desk and bookcase acquired by the Winterthur Museum from the Withers family, living near Strasburg, Lancaster Co.
OBITUARY
May 14, 2009 FRANCES DAVIS HASSINGER EVERHART, of Lower Allen Township, Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2009, in Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg. Frances was born March 1, 1916, in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of CARL W. AND ETHEL TORRINGTON DAVIS. She was a 1938 graduate of Vassar Co...
Matthias Slough (1733-1812) was the tavernkeeper of the White Swan. The high chest was made at an unknown Lancaster Boro workshop, except for the carved cartouche of Philadelphia.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, bequest of George J. Finney Estate
Bridge over Susquehanna River Between Columbia and Wrightsville
Description
Color painting of bridge over Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia with three Canada geese landing on water in right foreground. Print 15/500. Signed by artist in lower left corner: copyright by Kristin Hill, 2005, ASAA.' Framed with double mat. TruGuard UV glass sticker on back. Framed by Lancaster Galleries, Lancaster, PA..
Lancaster County Historical Society Front Entrance
Description
Framed print (1/74) of a watercolor painting of the Lancaster County Historical Society building in 1974 done by Dan Bare. Sealing paper on back of frame is torn along top and sides where it is glued to the frame.
Button from the 1977 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Tan and black keystone with a white #1 in center of keystone. "Keystone Hook and Ladder Co." around edge. A 1.625in black ribbon hangs 3.5in below the button. in gold letters on ribbon: "57th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. June 4, 1977 Columbia, PA."
Gold colored metal badge (2in x .75in) with white insert card, typed: "Christ B. Koehler" "1971" written in ink. on a 1.625in wide yellow ribbon in blue letters: "Delegate 51st Convention 50th Anniversay Lancaster County Fireman's Association Manheim, Penna"
Delegate badge from the 1970 Lancaster County Firemen's Convetion. Gold colored metal badge (2.125in x .75in) with white insert card, typed: "C.B. Koehler" "1970" written in pen. On 1.5 in wide yellow ribbon in black letters: "Delegate 50th Anniversary Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association June 6, 1970 Denver, Penna."
white button with "BOOSTER" in red letters. on 1.625in wide red ribbon in white letters: "53rd Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 2, 1973 Mount Joy, PA."
Delegate badge from the Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association 1974 Convention. White Button with "Willow Street Fire Co. 1974" printed around the edge in blue letter. Central circle in gold depicts frie regalia and equipment. On 1.625in wide yellow ribbon in blue letters: "54th Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 1, 1974 Willow Street, PA."
One of two. button of the Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association Convention. green button with balck letters : "L. C. F. A. 1975" around edge. In center is 8 sided "Lancaster County Firemen's Asso Inc." logo. On 1.625in wide green ribbon in black letters: "55th Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 7, 1975 Vo-Tech Willow Street, PA."
Two of two. button of the Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association Convention. green button with balck letters : "L. C. F. A. 1975" around edge. In center is 8 sided "Lancaster County Firemen's Asso Inc." logo. On 1.625in wide green ribbon in black letters: "55th Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 7, 1975 Vo-Tech Willow Street, PA."
