Desk

Object/Artifact

Historic Charleston Foundation

Name/Title

Desk

Entry/Object ID

NA.2004.006.010

Description

This mahogany slant-front desk exhibits three graduated, lipped drawers with thumbnail molding below a false top drawer which houses a pair of lopers and a well below the writing surface. It has three-quarter dustboards, typical of English construction and imitated in the south during this period. Bat-wing brasses are original. Pulls are missing on the false drawer. The case rests on bracket feet supported by vertical glue blocks. The slant front opens to reveal a row of nine pigeonholes above four drawers with plain fronts and a sliding well cover at the rear of the writing surface. The fall front rests on a pair of lopers when open. The fall board is mitred, which is typical of southern construction, to inhibit warping. The drawers on the interior may be replacements as new nails are evident in their construction. A combination of hand wrought and new nails throughout suggests that some restoration has been done on the case. The finish also appears to have been restored as it lacks depth and appropriate patina. Materials: walnut or mahogany, pine drawer bottoms, cypress drawer sides, tulip poplar (interior drawers) Markings: Top drawer, written in blue ink: "Ashley and Emily R. F arrow, 64 South Battery, Charleston, S.C. 29401" Enclosed in circle "Z #8" Drawer 2, in black ink: "Emily Ravenel Farrow, Charleston, South Carolina." Drawer 3, in black ink: "Emily Ravenel Farrow, Charleston, South C arolina." Interior drawers: Outside proper left: "64 South Battery. Charleston, S.C. 29401 Top guest bedroom desk" "#4" In circle "Z#8" Inside proper left: " #3" in circle " Z#8" Inside proper right: " #2" in circle "Z #8) Outside proper right: "64 South Battery Charleston, S.C. 29401 Top Guest Bedroom desk #1 " in circle "Z #8"

Collection

HCF Non-Accessioned Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2004.006.

Source or Donor

Farrow, Emily

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Date made

1790

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Desk

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Storage & Display Furniture

Nomenclature Class

Furniture

Nomenclature Category

Category 02: Furnishings

Dimensions

Height

35-5/8 in

Width

30-7/8 in

Depth

19-1/2 in

Dimension Notes

Depth open: 31.75"

Location

Room

303

Building

Nathaniel Russell House

Date

February 7, 2023

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

Having cypress carcass which indicates Lowcountry piece of furniture, old brasses

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

Finish appears to have been refinished. Scratches on feet. Repairs to top of case along edge and to sides where it meets the top Parts Missing: Handles on false drawer

Conservation

Treatment

Conservator

Joyce Keegan

General Notes

Note

Notes: Per Jill Koverman, desk should be reevaluated for accession to the collection. 12/07/05 David Beckford examined the piece and indicated that it is most likely a very early (early 18th c., 1700s) Charleston, SC made child's desk based upon the construction and the materials. He suggested that wood analysis be completed to substantiate.

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

May 25, 2005

Updated By

jkoverman

Update Date

December 8, 2005