Kettle Stand
Single Drawer
“Amos Beale Hand” & “1800” inscribed underside of drawer
Loudoun County, Virginia
27.5” H, 19” W and 17.5” D.
Based upon its small size and highly developed decorative form this stand was probably originally made as a Kettle Stand. The modern history dates back to 1990 when it sold at a and small country auction in Frederick County, Maryland, on the north side of the Potomac River just across the river from Loudoun County, Virginia. The stand was purchased by a picker/collector who kept it for about a decade until selling it to a long-time, well-established Americana dealer who kept it in his collection of the next 25 years from whom it was recently acquired.
The inscription on the underside of the drawer can either be read as Amos Beale, with Hand indicating in the hand or handwriting of Amos Beale, or as the full name of Amos Beale Hand with Hand being the surname. Ancestry.com records no Amos Beale Hand or Amos Hand from the period in Virginia or surrounding region but it does record an Amos Beale of Hillsboro, Loudoun County Virginia, 1790-1840. This leads to the conclusion that it is more likely that Amos Beale was the owner of the stand as of 1800. While it cannot be ruled out that the signature is that of its maker, the reasoning is that the form, style details, and construction point to a much earlier date, possibly 1770 – 1780, at least one or two generations prior. This suggests that it probably descended through the Beale or Hand family to Amos who recorded the event and his inheritance by date and signature. Ultimately the signature certainly of interest but largely immaterial as the stand’s value lies in the successful execution of the artisans´ conception blending form, function and aesthetics.
The top is molded with breadboard ends, an old technique to prevent warpage. The deep skirt is finished on all sides with gothic arches clearly indicating that the stand was intended to be seen from all sides as would be the case with a Kettle Stand. The sides are canted to receive the splayed legs and accommodate the canted drawer with its finger or “Quaker” lock. The legs are splayed, fluted and chamfered which are highly unusual and distinctive.
