Anonymous Sugar Chest In The Shape Of A Desk. c. 1825-1850. Important and rare folk art sugar chest, in the form of a desk. South Carolina. An exceptionally rare form and the only known example to exhibit this extraordinary inlay design. Recorded and
documented by MESDA (ref # S-30752). Walnut with yellow pine secondary woods, having a slant lid, opening to an interior compartment (without dividers, pigeon holes or interior drawers) over two large deep dovetailed drawers, on tall feet which are extensions of sides, front feet and skirt being one piece, skirt with aggressively carved scroll design on front and sides, light wood inlay is arranged in geometric patterns, most notably very unusual “eyes” designs on case sides, lid and drawer fronts with diamond inlay at key escutcheons on drawers and lid. Sliding lid supports on exterior of case sides. Old probably original surface. Size is 38”h x 35.5” w x 16”d. Left drawer runner missing, top drawer lock missing. Est. $10,000-20,000. Buyer is responsible for shipping.Exhibited by Leigh Keno at the 2009 Annual Winter Antiques Show in New York. Provenance: Purchased from the Estate of David Berry, Spartanburg, SC. Thought to have a connection and possibly descended through the Williams Family who owned several large plantations around Laurens and Spartanburg counties of SC & NC, due to the fact that a Bible which descended in the Williams family exhibits the only known and almost exact design elements as found on the sugar chest. A sampler from the same family was made by Phoebe Cox Young born March 20, 1810 in Laurens District, SC and died at her home known as White Plains, July 1852. Phoebe married Colonel John Drayton Williams on 20 Dec. 1825. John Drayton Williams was a State Representative who voted in favor of the Secession from the Union. The sampler is documented by MESDA reference #S-30754. Other notes: An opinion offered by the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts suggests that this sugar chest was possibly made by slaves due to the charismatic inlay decoration and animated cyma-carved apron profiles in Upstate, SC, an area of southern slave holding plantations during this period prior to the Civil War.