Chest of Drawers 1800 - 1810

This chest of drawers was crafted by Michael Allison in the late 18th or early 19th century, a period when the young United States was forging its national identity. During this era, the style of furniture in a home spoke volumes about social standing. The mahogany wood, sourced through global trade networks, signals wealth. But more than that, the chest embodies the tastes of upwardly mobile Americans who embraced Neoclassicism, adapting European styles to reflect their own aspirations for refinement. Pieces like this weren't just practical; they were stages for performing identity. Each drawer held personal stories, intimate objects, and the carefully chosen attire that defined one's place in society. In a time of both social mobility and stark inequality, owning such a chest was a way to participate in the American dream, even as that dream remained out of reach for many.