Highboy c. 1938

Francis Borelli made this watercolor and graphite Highboy sometime between 1855 and 1995. This image encapsulates a visual code resonant with the socio-economic structures of early America. Highboys were a popular form of furniture from the early 18th century, particularly in wealthier households. Their presence spoke of an aspiration to gentility, reflecting British styles while signaling economic success in the colonies. The cultural references embedded in the highboy's design – the ornate carvings, the cabriole legs – point to a society that valued craftsmanship and tradition. To fully understand this artwork, one might delve into period furniture-making manuals, estate inventories, and social histories. Such resources reveal the highboy's role in shaping perceptions of status. This image, therefore, becomes more than a mere depiction; it is a gateway into exploring the intricate relationships between material culture and social identity.