Estimated Price:

$6,000 - $8,000

Realized Price:

$19,550

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Important Jacob Werrey Painted Blanket Chest,
poplar, constructed with wedged dovetails, molded lid and base, lidded till, and turned feet. Retains its original hardware and its original painted surface consisting of reddish-brown over yellow on the box, green on the moldings and feet, and gold-stenciled decoration. Dated 1872 and signed by Werrey on the back in pencil. In a fine state of preservation; 27.75" high x 47" wide x 22.75" deep.

Jacob Werrey (1838-1893), lived in German Township, Fulton County, Ohio. Census records indicate his profession as a farmer, though his obituary identifies him as a carpenter. Roughly twenty pieces of Werrey-made furniture survive and date between 1863 and 1880. All are blanket chests (or miniature blanket chests) with heavy moldings and turned feet. While green-painted moldings and feet seem to have remained standard throughout his career, Werrey's earlier chests often had simpler painted decoration (see Hageman, Ohio Furniture Makers Volume Two, p. 27), while his later work, such as the chest offered here, was much bolder and more elaborate. His stencilling also became fancier, as he incorporated a vase with flowers and wheat, typically flanked by initials, and with the date underneath. The initials AK on on this chest are reputed to be for Annabelle Kinkaid, and was probably her wedding chest.

Sotheby's (New York) sold a miniature painted blanket chest signed by Werrey in 2000 for $41,800 (including buyer's premium). A similar full-sized chest by Werrey appeared in the 1984 Made in Ohio exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art, and Schaffner and Klein, in their book American Painted Furniture, call Werrey's work "some of the most masterful of all Ohio painted furniture."
Only very minor wear to paint, approx. 95%, till lid may be a replacement; VG+.