American; Pennsylvania German: Chest over Drawers; John Bieber; American; Pennsylvania German; 1789; Painted pine; brass; Decorated chests like this one were made by German-speaking settlers in the rural counties of Pennsylvania. They were used as storage for household goods or personal belongings; they could also serve as seating; which might explain the abraded paint on the top of this one. The designs decorating the surface (hearts; tulips; stars; geometric shapes) were imported from Europe and can be found in other kinds of Pennsylvania German folk art; including fraktur (decorated works on paper). This chest was created for Michael Finck; whose name is written in the arch above the central star; by the artist John Bieber in the year 1789.; Overall: 30 3/16 x 52 1/2 x 23 1/2 in. (76.7 x 133.4 x 59.7 cm)