The Detectives

S19E10 Taunton Chest

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is a remarkable venue renowned for its exceptional collection of early American furniture, showcasing extraordinary works from celebrated Colonial artisans like Goddard and Townsend. Norm becomes captivated by a modest chest currently under scientific examination at the museum. This chest, referred to as the Taunton Chest, was crafted by Robert Crosman (1710-1799) in the Massachusetts town of Taunton nearly three centuries ago. As one of the few surviving Crosman pieces, its intricate design recently fetched nearly three million dollars at Christie's Auction House. Norm decides to recreate it using poplar wood and enlists decorative artist Natalie Gardner to meticulously replicate the original paintwork.