Made and signed by Jonathan Shoemaker (1726-1793)
Philadelphia   Circa 1765
Primary Wood: Mahogany
Secondary Woods: Tulip Poplar, Atlantic White Cedar
Height: 97 inches
Width: 44 inches
Depth: 23 inches
This chest on chest is the only known example of Jonathan Shoemaker’s work. He was a third generation woodworker, whose grandfather, Jacob Sr., came to Philadelphia in 1715 from Germantown. In 1722 he willed his “tools belonging to the trades of turning and wheel making” to his son Jacob, Jr. His son, Jonathan, worked as a joiner as early as 1750 and in 1752 had a shop on the west side of Second Street. In 1767 he moved to Third Street near Arch.
A drawing of either this or a very similar chest on chest survives from Shoemaker’s apprentice, Samuel Mickle, (1746-1830) from his book of drawings.
Inventory Number:Â 308
