East Tennessee Classical tiger maple chest of drawers, poplar secondary, attributed to the Burgner school of cabinetmakers. Elaborate scrolled backsplash with carved volutes and leaf carved center pediment, over a plain rectangular top; overhanging top drawer and three graduated drawers, all dovetailed and with plain round wood knobs, flanked by carved pilasters with baluster, pineapple, and rope turnings terminating in rosette blocks. Ribbon molding at the base and four ring and baluster turned feet. 58 1/2" H to top of blacksplash, 50 5/8" H to top of chest x 44 1/2" W x 22 1/2" D. Note - Five Burgner brothers, including John C., Jacob F., Henry, Christian, and Daniel F., were cabinetmakers primarily in the Horse Creek community of Greene County and Washington County, Tennessee from 1817 until 1902. John C. Burgner maintained a "waste book" detailing the daily operations of the business, including information on furniture forms produced as well as recordings for some of the pieces sold. The Burgners made pieces ranging from $8 to $50, in a wide range of forms. This cabinetmaking shop was known in the region for the incorporation of highly figured woods including curly maple, cherry, and walnut (source information courtesy Daniel Ackermann, Associate Curator, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts). Provenance: A Nashville, Tennessee estate. Descended in the family of John P. Lancaster (b. 1876- d. ?) of Smith County, Tennessee. Lancaster's parents were Michael and Roxana Lancaster of Tennessee (the counties in which they were born and married is uncertain). His grandparents, Thomas and Frances Lancaster, were born in Virginia and likely migrated through East Tennessee. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com)

Scattered old powder post beetle holes, especially to rear; rear feet replaced, one section of skirt molding replaced underneath right pilaster, drawer supports replaced.