Curriculum Materials: Art in America
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Image 2c Foxon, Connecticut Questions: |
Connecticut Chest
Because colonial homes did not have closets, a chest was a necessity for storage of clothing and linens. This chest is called a Connecticut chest because it resembles a type of chest popular in the Connecticut River valley during the 18th century.
The chest is made of oak and has a hinged pine lid.
Carvings on the front panel create the illusion of three
square panels separated by two
BALUSTERS. Each
baluster is a spindle that was made on a lathe, cut in half,
and glued to the surface. The balusters were painted black
to resemble ebony, a hard, dark wood from Asia that was very
expensive. The round decoration at the center of each
square, also painted black, is called a boss. Carved wood
around and within each square creates a decorative
arch.
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