Black Forest Figural Carved Lock-Side Chest, Wirth Brothers, Brienz, Switzerland
late 19th century
surmounted by a broken arch crest with Pan (God of music) carved in the cartouche, above two griffins holding shields which flank a medallion carved with putti, the eight drawers with foliate carved pulls are numbered 9 through 16, signed on the medallion "Wirth Fres"
78 1/2 x 23 x 16 1/2 inches

Provenance: Collection of Florence R. Rose of Rogersville, Missouri 1974-1984. Given in 1984 to Wanda of Beverly Hills, California, and then collected from an estate, Taos, New Mexico.

Other Notes: The Gebr¸der Wirth (Wirth Brothers) furniture workshop was a preeminent group of "Black Forest" woodworkers in Brienz, Switzerland. Presumably, this piece is from that workshop. Gebr¸der Wirth also established locations in Paris and London and participated in numerous World Expositions in the 19th century. With the sophisticated classical carving and intricate cabinet construction, as well as the prominent Wirth Fres. signature (Wirth Brothers en Francais), it is possible this was a showpiece in the Wirth Paris shop or at the Paris exposition.

Literature: Blackman, Peter F. 2009. Black Forest Woodcarvings: The History of Swiss Brienzerware. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.

Very good overall refinished condition. The shell-carved crest with a small repair. The strike plate for the lock is missing.