AFA Autumn 2018

2018 Antiques & Fine Art 107 In the aftermath of the War of Independence (1775–1783), a new, more democratic social order was formed, particularly in rural areas of the country. With it came a spirit of innovation that brought light industry to the river valleys of central Massachusetts, harnessing waterpower to run mills of all kinds, spawning a new prosperity. Lumbard was eager to satisfy his newly affluent customers with furniture that proclaimed their status and cultural awareness. This elaborately inlaid chest of drawers is a perfect example of the kind of furniture he made for his clients who wished to express their success. Both the case and its inlaid decoration were labor-intensive and costly to produce. The deeply cut serpentine facade with concave quarter columns gives this chest an elegance rarely seen in central Massachusetts. The extravagant inlay is centered on the keyholes of the drawer fronts, employing abstracted floral plumes supported by two crossed and tapered twigs of multi-colored flowers and leaves. Unlike urban cabinetmakers in the Federal era who purchased most of their inlay from an inlay specialist, Lumbard relied on ornament that he or others in his shop made and customized for each application. Serpentine chest of drawers, attributed to Nathan Lumbard, Sturbridge or Sutton, 1800–1805. Cherry, mahogany banding, light- and dark-wood inlay, white pine, poplar, butternut, basswood. H. 3611⁄16, W 44⅞, D 21½ in. Private collection. Photo by Laszlo Bodo.