Miniature Grain-Painted Cupboard with Carved Rooster Ornament

Written By Andrew Melville

Probably Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, circa 1875
Poplar with original yellow comb-grained decoration and hardware.
17 ¼ x 8 x 6 ½ inches

This finely made miniature cupboard, likely produced for a child, features a carved rooster ornament at the backsplash and retains its original comb-grained surface and hardware. The bold yellow decoration and form are characteristic of southeastern Pennsylvania furniture of the period.
The combination of scale, surface, and whimsical carved detail makes this a particularly appealing and uncommon example within Pennsylvania German folk art.

Provenance:
Found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;
Collection of Richard Flanders Smith;
Christie’s, 1995;
Private collection, 1995–2016

Exhibited:
The Allentown Art Museum;
The Historical Society of Berks County

Andrew Melville

I'm a Kelowna-based designer with a passion for building clean, modern websites that bring bold ideas to life. Drawing from my roots in Vancouver’s creative scene, I combine Squarespace expertise with sharp brand strategy to help clients shape rough concepts into refined, purposeful digital experiences. Whether it’s a portfolio, business site, or something in between, I create work that feels effortless, effective, and always true to your brand — with just the right dose of personality.

https://creativestrategy.ca
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