Dower Chest for “Henrich Neisz”
Attributed to John Bieber(1763-1825), Berks County, Pennsylvania
Dated "1785"
Pine and poplar retaining the original polychrome painted finish, iron strap hinges & escutcheon, and brass pulls.
H 31", W 51 3/4", D 23"
Descended in the Rhoads family of Berks County, this chest came to us directly from a descendant of Heinrich Neiss.
In an earlier publication, this group of furniture including chests and schranks were attributed to John Bieber. See: Shaner, “Bieber Family of Furniture Makers in Oley Valley,” Historical Review of Berks County, Vol 71, No 3, pgs. 123-126.
For more recent scholarly research see: Cooper and Minardi, Paint, Pattern & People, pgs. 148-149.