Late 18th century blanket or marriage chest, possibly American, Ohio or Ohio Valley, with Pennsylvania German influence; painted chestnut with exuberant heart, rope, tassel or bell and pinwheel carvings. Mortise and tenon construction with visible pins and a tongue and groove lid having cleated ends and iron rattail hinges, over rope and tassel carved stiles ending in simple feet, with rope carving extending to a front center panel carved with twin heart and pinwheel decorations and a cartouche shaped iron escutcheon. Later painted date 1837 to front and side. Interior till and a plain base and two-board sides. 21 1/2" H x 50 1/4" W x 22" D. This unusual chest combines hardware similar to that found on other Ohio chests, with a rope and tassel motif suggestive of that found in some American Southern chests, and the hearts and pinwheel motifs and construction techniques often associated with Pennsylvania German furniture. It was pulled out of a barn in Batavia, Ohio, and descended in the owner's family prior to being purchased by the consignor.

CONDITION: Overall good condition with wear to the original painted finish. Date "1837" added later. Some wood shrinkage including full length shrinkage crack to top, light stains and wear to top, oxidation to iron hardware, front base edge with wear and losses. Bottom board of chest is a replacement. Feet may have lost some height.