Pennsylvania Dutch Style Blanket Chest by Kathy Graybill

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A stunner of an 18th century Pennsylvania Dutch style Blanket Chest by folk art painter Kathy Graybill, probably dating from … Read more A stunner of an 18th century Pennsylvania Dutch style Blanket Chest by folk art painter Kathy Graybill, probably dating from the 80's. She is known for her folk art trade signs, boxes and figures but her large scale furniture is much more uncommon to find. This one is a tour de force and has all the bells and whistles of a traditional "Pennsylvania Dutch" piece. The name is an evolution of Pennsylvania Deutsche--they were German, not Dutch. But over the years, it evolved into the name we know today. Constructed of solid pine, the reddish-brown background is decorated with panels of birds, tulips, and other floral motifs flanking a central panel on the front depicting two unicorns and the tree of life with Revolutionary war soldiers to the right and left. Top and sides have similar decorative elements, all hand-painted. The lift top lid reveals a till on the left, just like the 18th and 19th century examples and the artist's signature on the inside of the lid. The entire case rests on bun feet. 18th century examples with this amount of detail command six figures. You can have a fine example of early American history for much less. See less