Superb chest with seven drawers in the spirit of Sheraton, executed in the soft walnut of Quebec. The two large drawers are decorated with a tree of life, symbol of a fecund marriage, in marquetry of birch and black walnut and with two streaked bleeding hearts. Two middle drawers bear the inscriptions "AVRIL" and the year of manufacture "1848" in marquetry. The turned knobs are of wood, painted ebony black. Dates were not frequently used on Quebec furniture although they are typical of marriage furniture in Europe and New England. Marquetry replaced painted designs in the region of Alsace in France. This chest of drawers and the one that follows, are two of four similar known specimens, two of which originate from the region of Montmagny-Bellechasse, and the other two from Central Quebec. Do they form part of the wedding gift from the same father to his four daughters? Do they come from the same cabinet-maker's workshop? The historian does not yet know the answers. The symbols used and the mention of memorable dates do constitute, however, proof of the persistence of former marriage customs.
