Chest of Drawers
![Chest of Drawers Rockingham County 1820-1835 Cherry, cherry veneer, walnut, walnut veneer, light wood inlay, tulip poplar, yellow pine HOA: 41", WOA: 44", DOA: 21" Gift of Mrs. Irene T. Martin (5556)](https://mesda.org/files/2016/12/ACC_5556-300x240.jpg)
Chest of Drawers
Rockingham County
1820-1835
Cherry, cherry veneer, walnut, walnut veneer, light wood inlay, tulip poplar, yellow pine
HOA: 41″, WOA: 44″, DOA: 21″
Gift of Mrs. Irene T. Martin (5556)
This chest of drawers was made for Drury Smith, one of the state’s wealthiest residents. A self-made man, he amassed his fortune as a tobacco planter and dry goods merchant. Before the Civil War his wealth was valued at $120,000, including 62 slaves. Following the war, the value of his estate dwindled to just $12,000.
The chest’s simple fleur-de-lis, bellflower, and dot inlays on the stiles were probably produced in the maker’s shop rather than purchased, and speak to the Backcounrty origins of this object.