Fishtail

Characteristics:

• Rail: Center section raised with fishtail pendant; drawers hang low on sides, flanking central arch; rails underneath side drawers are gently scrolled.

• Drawer Configuration: One long (or one long constructed to appear as three) over two side

• Top: Ogee cornered

• Case: Square or fluted canted column

• Legs: Cabriole

• Feet: Trifid, paneled pad, or ball and claw

Known makers: William Savery (1721/22-1787)

Best examples:

• PMA 1940-16-60

• McNeil promised gift (below), illustrated in American Antiques from the Israel Sack Collection, vol. 8, 2228

• Magazine Antiques, June 1942, inside cover, illus.

• Sotheby’s, New York, January 19-21, 2007, lot 564

• Sotheby’s, New York, January 19, 2008, lot 257, lot 291

• Sotheby’s, New York, January 24-15, 2014, lot 236

• Freeman’s, Philadelphia, November 14, 2018, lot 60

High Chest of Drawers

Philadelphia, 1745—65
Walnut, tulip poplar, white cedar, brass
6 feet 3 inches × 43 inches × 23 1/4 inches
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Bequest of R. Wistar Harvey, 1940-16-60

Dressing Table

Philadelphia, 1730-40
Walnut
29 x 34 x 20 1/2 inches
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Promised gift of the McNeil Americana Collection