Lot 2103 email save

SOAP HOLLOW CHEST OF DRAWERS. Jeremiah Stahl,

SOAP HOLLOW CHEST OF DRAWERS.
Jeremiah Stahl, Soap Hollow, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, dated 1868, poplar wood. Three over four drawers, a shaped backsplash, and resting on high, turned feet. Retains its original paint decoration, including the original owner's initials "SKM" and date "1868" on the sides. Minor imperfections. 54"h. 39 1/4"w. 20 1/2"d.

The original owner of the present chest was Sara Kauffman (1851-1897), who married Henry Shaffer (1846-1918) and lived in Thomas Mills (District 5 of Conemaugh Township), which lay next to Miller (District 8) where a number of the Soap Hollow makers resided, including Jeremiah Stahl. According to family tradition, the chest then descended as follows:
Sara Kauffman and Henry Shaffer
John Shaffer (their third child) and Lizzie Saylor
Helen Shaffer (their seventh child) and Joseph McTonic
Present owner (their fourth child)

Stahl (1830-1907) was born the son of a blacksmith, and he served, along with fellow cabinetmaker Peter K. Thomas, in Company H. of the 171st Pennsylvania during the Civil War.

In addition to being signed, the present chest has all the earmarks of Stahl's work, including the three small, bowfront drawers, the hash marks around the date, and the floral stenciling around the drawer pulls. See Muller, Soap Hollow: The Furniture and Its Makers

, pp. 40-47; see also Garth's Auctions, February 25-26, 2005, lot 448 for a very similar chest by Stahl.