Ca. 1780 -1795 Chester NH area maple highboy with original surface. In two parts, the top section with a fan carved center drawer, above four long drawers. Bottom section with double blanket drawer above one fan carved long drawer simulated as three, original brass, original stained finish, in incredible untouched condition. 76.5”H x 38.5”W lower, 35.75”W upper, depth lower 20.5”D, depth upper 19”D. This highboy descended in the Wason family of Chester NH, and was located in the ca. 1743 Wason homestead near Wason Pond until 2012. Literature: The untouched condition of this piece - hardware, finish, minimal wear, lack of scratches on backs of both cases - indicate that it likely never moved from this house and was treated with immense care. It survives as a microcosm of NH craftsmanship after the American Revolution. The maker of this piece appears to have learned his trade in the Merrimack Valley in the shadow of the Scots-Irish craftsman John Dunlap of Goffstown and Bedford NH, displayed in the heavy massing of the casework, deep cornice, tri-part drawer configuration at top, and use of multiple drawer facades to conceal a single long drawer in the case. Like the Wason family, the Dunlaps first settled in Chester in the 1740s where Major John was born in 1746. Wason family history states this highboy was made by the husband of Lucretia Day, as a wedding gift to her sister Dorothy Worthen. Dorothy married James Wason on Sept. 3rd 1802. William B. Wason inherited it at one point, and in 1956 left it in his will to daughter Edith Wason Emery. After Edith’s death in 1984, the highboy passed to her nephew Robert E. Wason.

All original, shrinkage crack to lower section right side.