Virginia Painted Blanket Chest on Frame

attributed to Southside Virginia, circa 1735-50, (Roanoke River Basin chest on frame group), yellow pine and walnut, two part form, dovetailed blanket chest featuring a hinged rectangular lid with applied bread board molding to left and right side featuring through tenon joinery, wrought iron butterfly hinges, open interior, the exterior retaining an old blue paint, the dovetailed walnut frame featuring a single large lipped deep drawer, bold dovetails, bracket foot front facing, cut and scalloped side panels.
32 x 47.5 x 21.25 in.
MESDA Label No. S-11068
ex. Collection of John Bivins.
Brunk Auction, 22 Feb., 2003, Lot 378

Additional high-resolution photos and documents are available at www.lelandlittle.com

The frame is old but likely a marriage; lid with paint loss and wear, two tight shrinkage splits; missing lock/clasp/key; the frame: drawer missing lock; later 45 degree drawer runners; chips to facing surround of drawer to case; the frame extends one inch further than the depth of the box.