18th Century Red-Painted
MINIATURE Blanket Chest
New England, 1769 

Authentic early miniature pine six-board blanket chest in original dry crusty patinated deep-red paint, just the way collectors of early Americana love it.

It opens to twin lidded tills (unusual for a chest this small to have two), carved 6 and 9, almost surely for the date 1769.

Applied reeded moldings decorate the front, with tall feet and bootjack ends. Retains the original lock and snipe hinges (one of the hinges a bit loose). Without cracks or repairs; a gouge out of the wood on the left sidewall happened long ago as evidenced by the dark patina within. Note how pure underneath.

About 14 1/8 inches long x 5 7/8 deep x 7 ¾ tall. This little chest likely held important family documents, money, and valuables. Given the period, it is fun to imagine what those contents were. From a fine Midwest collection.