Name/Title
Portable deskEntry/Object ID
MP.94.427 a-jDescription
Exterior A: 19th century Birdseye maple lap desk with a design worked in tiny cut steel beads and monogram "C.L." (Cora Livingston) in steel beading. Top of desk is hinged and opens up to reveal several writing accessories and to form a writing surface. Bottom of exterior is lined with green paper. Interior writing surface or "desk" is lined with dark blue leather, above that are multiple compartments for inkwells, pens, letter opener, etc. Under the "desk" is located a larger storage area for stationery. Interior wood surfaces appear to be pine.
Accessories: B&C (on left) F&G (on right). Two cubical glass inkwells, round opening and sharp edges; round silver plated copper lids; located in upper left hand corner of desk compartments; size is 1 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 1/1/2".
D: Lid for long compartment at top of "desk" between inkwells has cut steel knob which serves as a handle for the wooden lid (1 1/2 x 9 1/2").
E: Ivory letter opener with black handle, possibly ebony. Handle has a multicolored, hand painted Indian motif; the marking "Hug" appears on one side of the opener in red lettering. (3/4 x 8 1/2").
H: Two ivory handled nib pens, one pen is without a nib (6 3/4" long).
I: Pen tray recessed is a "u" shape to hold pens, made of wood; under tray is a secret compartment, access is gained by pressing down on the exterior left end of the tray (1 x 8 1/2").
J: One sheet of stationery with heading: "Montgomery Place/ Annandale-on-Hudson /New York 12504." Size 5 3/4 x 7".Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
UnknownAttribution
MakerDate made
1840Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionTranscription
"C. L." monogram
"Hug"(?) on letter opener.Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
MP.94.427 A-J
MP.94.427a-j
Dimensions
Dimension Description
OverallHeight
3-1/4 inWidth
9-3/4 inLength
14 inDimension Notes
Display Dimensions: 3 1/4 x 9 3/4 x 14 in. (8.3 x 24.8 x 35.6 cm)Material
ebony, silverplate, Maple, Glass, Steel, Metal Unspecified, copper, Pine, Leather, bird's eye, Paper, Beads, ivoryCondition
Notes
Remarks: Details of Condition: Lap desk--some steel beading missing, various cracks on the cover and bottom; back left corner has some wood chipped away. Bottom left hinge of the desk is missing a pin. Interior leather is ripped across the middle and upper right and left hand corners; leather is peeling off around the edges. Both inkwells have various scratches and chipped edges and scratched and tarnished caps. Letter opener tip is broken off.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Coralie Livingston BartonNotes
UserRelated Entries
Notes
VC.95.19 a-o - Portable desk - Similar itemGeneral Notes
Note Type
General NoteNote
w/enclosuresNote Type
StorageNoteNote
Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Montgomery Place, Maple Bedroom