RARE AND IMPORTANT MATTHEW S. KAHLE (1800-1869) AND JOHN HENSON (ACT. 1819-AFTER 1831), LEXINGTON, ROCKBRIDGE CO., VIRGINIA PAINTED POPLAR AND YELLOW PINE CLOSET / PIE SAFE, the top comprising an overhanging board cornice with applied cove molding above two hinged doors, each set with three hand-punched tin panels highlighted by a profile of George Washington in military uniform flanked by "BORN 1731" and "DIED 1799" and "WA’SHINGTON" in scrolled banner above. Upper and lower front tin panels with a central star flanked by urns and webbed corner elements. Larger crimped-and-soldered end panels punched in a diapered pattern. Lower section featuring two dovetailed drawers above two hinged panelled doors and panelled ends, the whole raised on ring-turned feet. Nailed vertical backboards. Old green-painted surface. Circa 1831. 74" H, 42" W, 22" D.

Published: Beckerdite (ed.) - American Furniture 2012, pp. 73-76, figs. 24 -30, "The Kahle-Henson School of Punched-Tin Paneled Furniture" by Kurt C. Russ and Jeffrey S. Evans.

Provenance: Collection of the late John and Lil Palmer, Purcellville, VA.
Ex-collection of Ed and Delores Truitt, Roanoke, VA.

Catalogue Note: This rare and important closet safe was produced through the collaborative efforts of two early 19th century Lexington, Virginia craftsman: cabinetmaker Matthew Kahle and tinsmith John Henson. This commercial partnership of Kahle and Henson was first identified by Kurt Russ and Jeff Evans in their recently published study of a small group of safes produced by the two shops. In fact, Kurt Russ credits his long awareness of this safe with the genesis of the aforementioned study of the Kahle-Henson school as well as of the soon-to-be-completed Virginia Safe Project, an extensive overview of Shenandoah Valley food safes and the various regional schools of safe production and design found throughout the Valley. One of the principal characteristics of the Kahle-Henson group of safes is the use of elaborately-designed patriotic motifs in the punched-tin panels; in the present example, matching profiles of George Washington are featured in the center tins, and, in other examples, robust Federal eagles or other early national figures, are highlighted in the punched-tin decoration. This safe represents a powerful expression of national identity through the use of early Federal iconography and stands out as a significant piece of Southern furniture.

Good overall condition, end tin panels with losses and repairs, possible restoration to drawers, bottom left door, and lower tin front panels. Some retouching to paint.