Pa. German Chest.
c. 1936
This charming illustration isn't just a picture of furniture; it's a time capsule from 1789, meticulously recorded by artist Elmer G. Anderson in 1936. Likely created as part of the Index of American Design—a New Deal project that documented American folk art during the Great Depression—this study captures a Pennsylvania German chest at exactly one-fourth its actual size. The chest features two large, golden hearts and the inscriptions 'MARGREDA 17' and 'MAUERIN 89,' which likely combine to name the original owner and the year of creation. With precise measurements sketched below, Anderson preserved the craftsmanship of this folk art treasure for future generations.
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