Two joined chests
One Devon, England one Ipswich, Massachusetts. 2nd half 17th century
[a comparison between a Devon, England chest & a related chest made in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The full post is 11 photos comparing details between them. They’re both part of a well-studied group, the best example we have of an English body of work transplanted to New England in the 17th century.]
I’ve been sorting photos today for my strapwork project and I remembered a slew of Devon photos my friend Rob Tarule gave me years ago…he was there looking at medieval stuff, but shot a few 17th century things when he ran across them. Including this classic Devon joined chest:
Now first off - I’ve never seen this chest in person. But I’ve seen several Devon chests of this quality. “This quality” is just great. Carving is excellent - great control of the V-tool to outline all this stuff.
The middle panel has those sweeping curved stalks that connect all the parts…
Looking at that chest I immediately thought of the Thomas Dennis/Ipswich chest at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut.
So you’ll have to scroll back and forth to compare them - but they’re very close relatives. The panels are nearly the exact same patterns - the Wadsworth chest uses the same design on the muntins/stiles and top rail - where the Dartington chest uses S-scrolls on the stiles and bottom rail. Wadsworth’s bottom rail is scissored S-scrolls…
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