Secretary bookcase
Name/Title
Secretary bookcaseEntry/Object ID
F 76.37Description
The secretary bookcase has a one-piece cornice that fits over the three-part bookcase section, screwed together, that in turn sits on the one piece base. The cornice has a central armorial armorial panel bearing the arms of the Chrystie family. Four stylized rosettes mark the tops of the sides of each bookcase section. The bookcase doors have pointed arch glazing bars and open to adjustable shelving. The middle of the three sections projects slightly. The lower case is deeper than the upper. The projecting center section has three drawers, the top one of which is a secretary or writing drawer with hinged drawer front, baize writing surface, and interior of small drawers and pigeonholes. The interior drawer fronts are satinwood veneer on mahogany. At each side of the center drawers are cupboard doors with a single drawer above. Reeded panels decorate the end and middle stiles of the lower case. The top of the lower case is reeded. The lower case stands on turned legs. The legs in front are carved with stylized leaves and end in animal paw feet (replaced in 2009) painted an antiqued bronze color. The rear feet are uncarved and end in ball feet that bear remnants of early paint, probably an antiqued bronze. The back boards of each section are framed panels. The side panels of the lower case are recessed. The drawer fronts in the lower case are mahogany veneer on white pine with tulip poplar sides and bottoms.Category
Furniture