DOWNINGTOWN, PENN. — Proving good things come in small packages was a rare and diminutive Mahantongo Valley, Penn., painted poplar blanket chest that attained $292,100, including premium, at Pook & Pook’s January 14-16 Americana auction, selling early on the first day to a phone bidder. Leaving its $30/50,000 estimate in the dust, the circa 1840 chest in green paint featured a sprig of flowers with birds on the front panel and praying figures on the side. It measured a desirable 22 inches tall by 39 inches wide and had been earlier exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts. American Folk Art, Boston in 2001. A complete review on the auction will appear in an upcoming issue.
