Chest of Drawers — Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen

ABOUT THIS WORK

This chest of drawers, crafted around 1800, presents a striking example of American furniture design from the early Federal period. Its form is both sturdy and elegant, with a rich mahogany veneer that catches the light, contrasting with the lighter birch used for decorative inlay. The piece’s substantial size suggests it was a prominent fixture in a well-appointed home, designed not only for storage but also as a statement of refinement. Look closely at the subtle variations in grain and color, which reveal the careful selection of woods by the anonymous maker. This chest embodies the aesthetic of its time, balancing practicality with a desire for classical order and understated beauty, reflecting a period when American craftspeople were developing a distinct national style.

DETAILS

Artist: Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen
Date: 1800
Medium: Mahogany, birch, and white pine
Location: Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions: 95.9 × 103.5 × 58.4 cm (37 3/4 × 40 3/4 × 23 in.)

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

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01

Tiger maple drawers

Look at the three lower drawer fronts, where wavy bands of light and dark ripple across the wood. This rippling figure gives the chest its most eye-catching surface.

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02

Turned corner columns

Follow the slender turned columns at the front corners. Their ringed, swelling shapes add a classical touch to a plain box.

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03

Rope-carved base molding

Along the bottom edge, a thin band of twisted rope carving catches the light. It is a small, careful bit of handwork that frames the whole chest.

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04

Painted side panel

On the right side, the darker panel shows vertical grain inside a framed recess. The painter has rendered the shadowed wood in soft browns.

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05Whole painting

Floating on blank paper

The chest sits alone at an angle on bare, stained paper with no floor or cast shadow. All attention goes to its form and warm color.

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THE ARTIST

Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen

This 'Artist Unknown' represents a vast collection of anonymous creators, whose works like 'Boston Common' and 'Self Portrait' offer glimpses into diverse historical periods and artistic practices.

Read Aberdeen’s full story