Pa. German Dower Chest
1935-1942
Frances Lichten captures the rustic charm of early American life in this realistic study of a Pennsylvania German Dower Chest. These sturdy wooden boxes, often given to brides as part of a dowry, were proudly decorated with vibrant folk art motifs like the red and green tulips and architectural arches seen here. Created between 1935 and 1942, this artwork acts as a historical time capsule, preserving the specific design of a treasure chest that would have held a family's most precious linens and heirlooms for generations.