A chest with two drawers is shown in Illustration [4], made probably in Connecticut, as about fifty of this style have been found there, chiefly in Hartford County. The top, back, and bottom are of pine, the other portions of the chest being of American oak. The design of the carving is similar upon all these chests, and the turned drop ornament upon the stiles, and the little egg-shaped pieces upon the drawers, appear upon all. They have been found with one or two drawers or none, but usually with two. This chest is in Memorial Hall, at Deerfield.
A chest with two drawers owned by Charles R. Waters, Esq., of Salem, is shown in Illustration [5]. The mouldings upon the front of the frame are carved in a simple design. The wood in the centre of the panels is stained a dark color, the spindles and mouldings being of oak like the rest of the chest.
Illus. 4.—Oak Chest with Two Drawers, about 1675.
A number of chests carved in a manner not seen elsewhere have been found in and about Hadley, Massachusetts, and this has given them the name of Hadley chests. The carving in all is similar, upon the front only, the ends being panelled, and all have three panels above the drawers, with initials carved in the middle panel. The other two panels have a conventionalized tulip design, which is carved upon the rest of the front, in low relief. The carving is usually stained while the background is left the natural color of the wood.
Illustration [6] shows a Hadley chest with one drawer owned by Dwight M. Prouty, Esq., of Boston.
Illus. 5.—Panelled Chest with Two Drawers, about 1675.
Carved chests with three drawers are rarely found in any design, although the plain board chests were made with that number.