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
Chest is red-painted poplar. Lid has molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by plain iron strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate, on each end. A till is at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription along with geometric floral/star motifs. The inscription reads: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On the underside of the lid, left side, is pasted a fraktur measuring 6.5" x 8" showing a woman in a red dress and a man in a pink coat and black pants flanking a text block, with red and blue flowers above.
The fraktur is a "baptismal sponsor's letter form" done with ink and watercolor on laid paper for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster County. The central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file)and in the upper left and lower right corners are the names of baptismal sponsors, Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. This unusual form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas, according to Pastor Fred Weiser.
Barbara Potzer was original owner. Maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur is by the Sussel-Washington artist.
Provenance
Chest was purchased at a sale in Harrisburg in approximately June, 1979, by seller, H. William Koch. It
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. Edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
G.79.103.1
Notes
This is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet.
There is a group of several other similar chests (see file).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Rosewood chest of drawers has a white marble top with round-carved front corners surmounting turned columns terminating at bun cyma-curved feet. Chest has three drawers with two bulls-eye shaped wood pulls and a centered keyhole with circular raised trim. Centered on the marble top is a rosewood framed mirror with a serpentine crest flanked by scroll cut shelf brackets.
**Accessioned twice** also see 27.4 Five piece dresser set. Two candlesticks (61.8.4-5, *see also 00.27.4-5*) -Bright pink candlesticks. Has border effect at bottom (approximately 0.5' white) that is off-white with gold design. Similar strip effect near
Porcelain octagon-shaped dresser tray that is part of a five-piece set. Face of tray is pink with a centered white circle with gold leaf decor. Edge of tray is white with a band of gold leaf design.
Secretary, or desk and bookcase, Federal style, with extensive inlay, including "1804", flanked by the initials "I M" (or J M) on fall board of desk. Initials likely represent one of John H. A. Bomberger's ancestors/relatives. Made in 3 parts: a cornice and frieze, a slant-front desk with cubby holes and extensive inlay inside and out, and a bookcase with glazed doors using diamond design tracery, centered oval fan inlay and 1/4 fans at all 8 corners of doors. Desk has half fan inlay on skirt, running diamond banding just above and bellflower inlay at face of desk corners.
Henry T. Spangler, a member of the first graduating class from Ursinus, married college president John H. A. Bomberger's daughter Marion. Spangler later became the president of Ursinus, himself. Bomberger was born in Lancaster, graduated from Marshall College in Lancaster (later Franklin & Marshall). The secretary was a Bomberger family piece inherited by daughter Marion who willed it to her daughter "Aunt Doll" who resided at Ursinus until her death. Her brother George (Joel Spangler's grandfather ) inherited the piece and later willed it to Joel.
Provenance
Believed to have descended through John H. A. Bomberger's family of Lancaster County, through his parents or their parents. Documented only from J. H. A Bomberger on. From Bombergers, it descended through the Spangler family.
Finish darkened overall. Large pieces of veneer missing and lifting on skirt. Large veneered oval on fall board has cracks throughout. Two vertical cracks extend up from each side of desk base. Thin molding splitting on bookcase base at back left side. Section of wood with inlay missing at top of bookcase at back of right side.
American Rococo Revival Walnut Sofa. The serpentine back centered by a rose and shell scrolled carved crest, the back joined to closed arms, with a serpentine apron and raised on cabriole legs terminating in casters, silk velvet upholstery.
Mahogany medicine chest, upright form with two front doors opening up to reveal compartments holding medicine-filled mold-blown square bottles with paper labels and glass stoppers. Right door fitted with locking key. Interior of chest proper has additional medicine compartments and two lower drawers with ivory pulls, containing tools: a suspension balance with copper pans, a bone spoon and two tweezers, one ornate and commercially made. Finally there is a blown glass mortar and pestle.
Most compartments contain bottles of medicines and poison. A large brass bail-type handle at chest top for carrying.
Upper panel on reverse slids sideways to reveal more large bottles with medicine. Inscription on paper pasted to inside is handwritten: "This Medicine Chest / ----aid to grandfather / ------tah, and has been / ----e in his family / 1810." Additional handwritten note pasted to side of front left door reads: " Property of John F. Heinitsh since 1810." Paper labels are printed with the name Charles A. Heinitsh of 16 E. King St. and sometimes 13 E. King St. (16 E. King was a later location). A long thin rod behind the inner top left hinge slides through upper right side to engage a hole in sliding panel, thus securing closure.
Provenance
John Frederick Heinitsh (1792-1858) is the father of Charles A. Heinitsh (1822-1898), both druggists. John apprenticed with his older brother Augustus, eventually partnering with him until 1818 when he bought the business and moved to 33-34 E. King St. In 1841 he moved to 13 E. King and partnered with his son Charles as John F. Heinitsh & Son. In 1849, Charles purchased the store and led a long and distinguished career as druggist. Business moved to 16 E. King St. between 1869 & 1871.
Photo # 1-01-01-87 is a carte de visite of Charles Augustus Heinitsh.
Two part desk in dark stained wood with drawers in lower portion and cubicles in upper portion. Owned by Thaddeus Stevens. No surface decoration; legs are turned. Six sections of cubicles: upper right four tall dividers, lower left nine small roughly square cubbies, upper right six roughly square cubbies, lower right four tall cubbies, upper middle two large sections. Slant top desk in middle, left and right are flat surfaces. Three drawers on left and right. Small Gothic style arches on skirt below the slanted desk section.
Provenance
Donated by Judge William Jacobs in 1923 to the Historical Society of Daphin County. Donated by HSDC to LancsterHistory.org
Judge Jacobs born Jan. 27, 1850 in Gettysburg, PA
Died Jan 11, 1929 Lower Allen Twp, Cumberland County. PA
graduated Pennsylvania College 1867, admitted to Adams County Bar in 1871. Professor of Law at Dickenson College of Law, 1891-92.
Judge Jacobs father was Rev. Michael Jacobs D.D. 1808-1871 Buried in Gettysburg.He taught Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the PA College in Gettysburg. He became well known for his meteorologist records of weather conditions at the Battle of Gettysburg and his home is pointed out on the National Park tours in the town. He was the pastor of the Lutheran campus church for the college.
Rev. David Jacobs was Rev. Michael's brother who entered Gettysburg College/Lutheran Theological Seminary and was in the schools first class, later teaching at the school.
The family knew Thaddeus Stevens through their connections with the school.
Lower left drawer knob is missing. Much scratching on desk surface from upright shelves being moved. Top of desk is warped above the right side drawers.
Object ID
2016.014
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Oval center table with marble top, rounded on top edge. Elaborate pedestal / leg support. Four arms descend from double layered skirt in curving, flattish, jagged shape to central turned pedestal with top and pendant finial in turnip shape. Four legs des
