Cedar, huon pine, blackwood
handles, original finish.
127cm H x 127cm W x 60cm D
From Enfield, Bishopsbourne, Northern
Tasmania, the home of William Field (1774-1837).
A fine & genuinely rare
example of a Tasmanian early Colonial period chest of drawers, with beautifully
carved ‘quilled on the cann’ columns (the diagonal ‘quils’ made by cutting by plough a furrow), carved paterae to the corners,
with fine reel turned edges to the top drawer, cockbeading and lobed reeded breadfruit
feet. Originally with brass handles, the present ones c. 1845. A drawer with
old 1845 newspaper, probably the time of the handle changed.
Provenance: William Field of Enfield, Bishopsbourne,Tasmania, thence by descent in the Field / Bennett family.
William Field was a farmer, butcher & pastoralist was convicted of theft of a sheep & transported to Tasmania in 1806. He began living with Elizabeth Richards, a convict who had originally been sentenced to death for stealing cotton & lace, having five children together. By the time of his death, he was (adjusted to GDP) the seventh richest Australian & richest Tasmanian to have ever lived. Her portrait, by Henry Mundey, is in the National Gallery of Australia. (see attached image). How wonderful could it be to see her portrait placed next to this chest of drawers?.
Price inc GST $22, 000
