Documented Sala Soap Hollow Chest of Drawers
Updated August 25, 2026
| Lot number | 680 |
| Estimate | 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD |
| Category | Antiques & Furniture |
| Auction | Antiques, Americana, and Advertising Auction - Day 2 |
| Date | September 10, 2026 at 3:30 PM EDT |
| Auction house | John M. Hess Auction Service, Inc. |
| Location | Manheim, Pennsylvania |
An incredible example of John Sala's work, this chest is still in the black and is pictured in Charles Muller's book "Soap Hollow The Furniture and its Makers" on page 18. Two drawers over four graduated drawers stenciled "Manufactured by John Sala" with stenciled horses on the front of the chest. Shaped backsplash with stenciled rosettes. Inlaid escutcheons with additional stenciling on the case. On each side is stenciled "F K M" and "1857" with a wonderful stenciled bird at the top of a potted plant. See page 55 in Muller's book for an example of this stencil. Family tradition holds this chest was made for Frany Kauffman and is noted in the book. See the blanket chest in this auction with the same initials done a year later in 1858. 52 3/4"H x 38 1/2"W x 21"D Antique painted surface expert Peter Deen (retired) viewed this chest and noted it is still in the black (untouched, uncleaned surface) and in the original paint. There is a 4" x 1 1/2" area on the top board that was filled in after being damaged possibly by oil from an oil lamp.
More lots in this auction
- Dated 1871 Soap Hollow Chest of Drawers
- Excellent Joel Palmer PA Decorated Blanket Chest
- 1889 Painted & Stenciled Soap Hollow Blanket Chest
- Sheraton Cherry Chest of Drawers
- 1858 Painted & Stenciled Soap Hollow Blanket Chest
- Antique Pennsylvania Tall Chest of Drawers
- 1879 Initialed "LT" Soap Hollow Blanket Chest
- Pennsylvania Jelly Cupboard
See all lots in Antiques, Americana, and Advertising Auction - Day 2 →