Name/Title
SecretaryEntry/Object ID
NA.2004.006.001Description
Materials: Mahogany, mahogany veneer, poplar dustboards, white pine back boards on both lower and upper cases and shelves in upper, cigar-box mahogany drawer sides and interior drawers.
This desk and bookcase reflects the classical proportions and the richness of architectural forms popular in mid-eighteenth century England. This period is classified as Middle Georgian or as more commonly known, Chippendale.
Composed of two parts, the four-drawer base rests on ogee bracket feet. The drawers are graduated from 4" to 7" in height with cockbeading surrounding the drawer fronts. The ornate brass drawer pulls and escutcheons appear to be original. The drawers are dovetailed, both front and back. They are supported by full depth dustboards, faced with mahogany veneer. They all have a central batten from front to back of the drawer bottom, typical of English construction. The slant front of the desk opens to rest on two lopers with bale pulls, revealing an interior divided into three sections: a central open bay (where the prospect door usually is), framed by open fretwork on the top and sides, reflecting the Rococo influence on the Chippendale style. The bay is finished at the top with a concave flat cornice. The back of the bay is mirrored and the bottom is inlaid in a three-tone block pattern, bordered at the front edge with a two-tone rope design. On either side of the central bay are four pigeon holes with fretwork carving at the top of each, over one long, over two short drawers, embellished with blind fretwork carving. The drawers have bale pulls in keeping with those on the lopers.
The top case rests within an ogee molding, set back on three sides of the top of the desk. It is composed of two glass doors with gothic-inspired mullions, enclosing a case containing three shelves which are adjustable by means of ladder-like supports applied to each side of the case. The back of the case is made of panel and frame construction. The top of the case is embellished with blind fretwork carving along the frieze below a cove molding, and topped with a flat cornice, decorated with dentil molding.Collection
HCF Non-Accessioned CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2004.006.Source or Donor
Farrow, EmilyAcquisition Method
GiftLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
SecretaryNomenclature Primary Object Term
DeskNomenclature Sub-Class
Storage & Display FurnitureNomenclature Class
FurnitureNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsOther Name
Desk and BookcaseGeneral Notes
Note
Notes: Appraised value: $10,000 by Alice Patrick, May 16, 2005Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
May 18, 2005Updated By
admin@catalogit.appUpdate Date
February 16, 2023