18TH C. CHIPPENDALE DOVETAILED SIGNED BLANKET BOX - RARE OCHRE PAINT SURFACE

We are delighted and honored to offer for sale this wonderful late 18th century Chippendale period blanket box with the absolute best ochre paint decorated surface in an attractive golden brown color way. This 6 board blanket box is an absolute case study in early joinery techniques and is refreshingly unaltered. The chest retains it's original hand forged iron hasp and crab lock. The interior is fitted with a lift top candle till with two drawers below. The box is branded "Frank R Conrad" and "Henry R Conrad" on the interior. A convenient wooden shuttle can be used to prop open the molded lid for easier access. There's no evidence of snipe or strap hinges being in place on this early chest. We believe the old barrel hinges to be true and original with no evidence of them being moved. This chest is adorned with very handsome embossed ring pulls and heavy brass escutcheon plates. The drawers employ a molded edge design with hand hewed drawer bottoms rich with tool marks. The painted