$446,000
Painted and Decorated Poplar Black Unicorn Chest, inscribed "Bern, Berks County [Pennsylvania], Adam Minnich 1796," the dovetailed case with molded edges and a hinged top over two thumbmolded drawers on a molded base with a central drop and straight bracket feet; the original surface of blue-green ground has designs and geometric patterns in red, black, ivory and yellow enclosed by painted sawtooth edges and includes heavy red and black moldings and mottling; the facade consists of three arcaded panels the central of which shows two black confronting unicorns, separated by an urn issuing tulips and brown foliate devices topped with a yellow and black sovereign crown; the unicorns, bearing their teeth and red serpent-like tongues, with red horns and red birds atop their heads are joined by a red chain draped over their shoulders, all enclosed in a segmented tombstone border; this panel is flanked by two tombstone panels depicting opposed pairs of rampant lions topped with red and yellow sovereign crowns; all separated by red and yellow urns issuing tulips; the top and sides are decorated primarily with colorful pinwheels and other geometric shapes; the German printing in red paint on the facade translates into English to read: "Adam Menick in Bern Berks County in the year 1796," old replaced brasses, old surface, (restoration to base), ht. 25 3/4, wd. 50, dp. 23 1/4 in. Note: The 1810 census lists an Adam Menick (born between 1765 and 1784) living in Bern Township, Berks Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2006-11-04
