Chest of drawers 1670 - 1700

Editor: This beautiful wooden chest of drawers, made sometime between 1670 and 1700, is attributed to the Symonds Shop. The level of detail is amazing – it's both functional and a real statement piece. What can you tell me about this kind of furniture in its time? Curator: Well, beyond its function, consider how furniture like this shaped early American identity. This chest wasn’t just storage; it was a display of wealth and belonging within a burgeoning society. Do you notice the prominent display of the wood grain and the craftsmanship? Editor: Yes, the carving and the choice of wood feels very deliberate, not just functional. Curator: Exactly. The “Symonds Shop” suggests a collective effort. Objects made like these helped solidify a shared visual culture and affirmed emerging class distinctions in the colonies. These craftspeople were integral in defining an aesthetic that distinguished them from European norms, wouldn't you say? Editor: So, it’s not just a chest, it's almost like a declaration? A symbol of status and a move away from European influence. But who would have owned something like this? Curator: Likely affluent landowners or merchants. Owning such a piece demonstrated their success and integration into colonial society. Now, think about where it would be placed in the home – visible, accessible to guests. It speaks volumes, doesn’t it, about how objects embody social narratives? Editor: Absolutely. I never thought of furniture as something that actively participates in the culture. It makes me see how even everyday things have a history. Curator: And contribute to history. This chest does that simply by surviving and telling its story.