AFA Summer 2019

Antiques & Fine Art 97 2019 Strong local and regional furniture-making practices — called regionalism — allow early American furniture historians and collectors to identify and better understand the many anonymous examples that have survived generations of use. Regionalism expresses itself in design, materials, and construction. Despite strong and reliable patterns of use and behavior, certain pieces of furniture sometimes challenge well-established regional practices. A blockfront desk and bookcase, a chest of drawers, and a bombé tall clock made in the Philadelphia area bring these conflicts to life. Fig. 2: Giant dovetail at the bottom of the desk and bookcase in fig. 1. Fig. 3: Interior of the desk and bookcase in fig. 1. BREAKING THE RULES Philadelphia Blockfront and Bombé Furniture by Philip D. Zimmerman