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533. FULTON COUNTY, OHIO BLANKET CHEST BY JACOB WERREY,

pencil-signed on the underside, in poplar. With a dovetailed case, moulded lid, interior till, and typical Werrey turned feet. Retains its original hardware and its original, vibrant paint decoration in reddish-orange, dark red, and green, with a gold-stenciled basket of flowers and WK 1872. 25.75" high x 43.75" wide x 18.75" 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 mouldings 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 and Cowan's Auctions, November 17-18, 2004, lot 657), while his later work, such as the chest offered here, was much bolder and more elaborate. His stenciling also became fancier, as he incorporated a vase with flowers and wheat, typically flanked by initials, and with the date underneath. Cowan's sold a nearly identical chest on July 23, 2004 (lot 199, realized $19,550). Aside from a slight difference in size, the only other difference between that chest and the one offered here is the first initial (W rather than A). See also the catalog for the 1984 Made in Ohio exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art.

Very minor loss to base moulding, a few later nails added to the back of the case dovetails.

(EST $10000-$15000)