Lot 1585
LOCAL INTEREST;
an early 19th century elm chest, painted to simulate mahogany with boxwood stringing, the hinged top enclosing a well behind three faux drawers lined with blue 'sugar bag' type paper, with fitted candlebox and original label*, above a single drawer (not elm), height 80cm, width 92cm, depth 51cm
*the label reads: '4th September '83, I give unto James Jeffery this box it was made for his father when a youth by Joseph Turner of East Huntspill a common carpenter. This man lived to the age of one hundred and one years, highly respected. Christine(?) Jeffery'
**[from Regional Furniture, Volume XI, 1997, p.57-61', 'A Painted Elmwood Chest From North Somerset, John Weallans']: 'Many carpenters working during this period also advertised their capabilities as house builders and painters, if it was Joseph Turner, carpenter, who both made and painted the chest, then this is an excellent example of such versatility.'
'Joseph Turner, carpenter, was born in North Petherton in 1772 or 1773 and was buried in East Huntspill churchyard on the 2nd May 1874, at the age of 101...His property was on the site of the present-day home called 'Elmwood'. He lived here until at least 1871'.
