Stacy Potts Highboy

This magnificent highboy ~ or high chest of drawers ~ was made in Philadelphia c. 1760-70 and owned by Stacy Potts. It stands 7 feet 1 /34 inches tall and is made of yellow poplar and yellow pine, veneered in mahogany. The connoisseur’s description: The top holds eight drawers below a carved mold board surmounted with swan neck crestings, carved rosettes, flame-turned finials and centering a magnificent carved cartouche. The base includes three plain drawers and centers a drawer with carved shelf with graceful foliate carving and a shaped and carved skirt between foliate carved knees, terminating in ba11 and claw feet.

[Credit: Collection Museum of Fine Arts, Boston]