A polished wooden dresser with four curved drawers, ornate metal hardware, and intricately carved claw feet.
Rear view of a wooden dresser with a plain back panel and curved sides supported by decorative clawed feet.
Side profile of a wooden dresser with a curved body and polished surface standing on claw feet.
Side view of a polished wooden dresser with curved edges, resting on ornamental, carved claw feet.
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Unknown Maker, American

Bombé Chest of Drawers
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, American

Culture

American

Title

Bombé Chest of Drawers

Year

ca. 1755-1795

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

tulipwood, mahogany, white pine

Geography

Place Made: Boston; Place Made: Massachusetts

Dimensions

81.3 x 96.5 cm (32 x 38 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Mr. Charles L. Pendleton

Object Number

04.079

Type

Publications

Exhibition History

18th and 19th-Century American Galleries
Jun 19, 2015
Charles Pendleton House
Jan 02, 2015
Making It In America
Oct 11, 2013 – Feb 09, 2014

Label copy

The dramatic double-serpentine curvature visible side to side and top to bottom on the front and sides of this chest is known as bombé, taken from the French verb bomber, meaning to bulge. A great feat of woodworking skills, the piece would have been costly to make and rare even in its own time. Adding to the scarcity of this bold form, bombé or kettle chests were unique to eastern Massachusetts, specifically Boston and Salem, affordable to only the wealthiest of clients, namely those who were part of the successful mercantile industry.

Focus on Form
American Furniture from the Museum's Collection
Apr 01, 1998 – May 21, 2000

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, American
Bombé Chest of Drawers, ca. 1755-1795
Mahogany, white pine and tulipwood, with brass
81.3 x 96.5 cm (32 x 38 inches)
Bequest of Mr. Charles L. Pendleton 04.079

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