Chests of Drawers

Chests of Drawers Possibly by Amos Alexander (1769-1847) Mecklenburg County 1790-1800 Walnut, light wood inlay, yellow pine Large chest: HOA: 54 5/8", WOA: 32", DOA: 19 1/4" Small chest: HOA: 14 1/2"; WOA: 11"; DOA: 8 5/16" Gift of Charlotte and Philip Hanes in honor of Thomas A. Gray and his multiple contributions to MESDA and Old Salem (5594.1)

Chests of Drawers
Possibly by Amos Alexander (1769-1847)
Mecklenburg County
1790-1800
Walnut, light wood inlay, yellow pine
Large chest: HOA: 54 5/8″, WOA: 32″, DOA: 19 1/4″
Small chest: HOA: 14 1/2″; WOA: 11″; DOA: 8 5/16″
Gift of Charlotte and Philip Hanes in honor of Thomas A. Gray and his multiple contributions to MESDA and Old Salem (5594.1-2)

This chest of drawers with a pitched pediment was made in Mecklenburg County. Scrawled in pencil on the back of a drawer is the name John McCay.  Someone in his family, perhaps one of his three daughters, was probably the owner. Living nearby was cabinetmaker Amos Alexander, the most likely maker of this piece. Characteristic of his work are the lunetted inlaid heavy bands surrounding the drawer pulls and the ogee bracket feet with exposed dovetails on the side. However, the pitched pediment with applied scrolls, inlaid decoration, and arched drawer makes this a singular object. Amos Alexander also made the miniature chest of drawers with the initials “SS.”