Desk
- Object Name:
- Desk
- Object ID:
- 1916.004
- Creator:
- Constantine, Thomas (1791-1849)
Woodcarver - Place of Origin:
- New York, NY
- Date:
- 1818
- Description:
- Desk. Made by Thomas Constantine & Co., New York, New York, 1818. Used by Daniel Webster (1782-1852) in the United States House of Representatives, 18th Congress (1823-1825). Late Federal style. Trapezoidal in shape, with slightly bowed front; back incurved correspondingly. Top has a slanted writing surface and a horizontal ledge at the back, 4 3/8 in deep. A removable, rectangular trap with three compartments fits into a recess extending full width at front. Drawer has two wooden knobs and an inset brass keyhole. All four rails are veneered and have cocked bead edging. Four turned and tapered legs with bulb-and-ring turned necks and base-turned feet, each having a ring-turning just above floor. Three rectangular stretchers--sides and back. A shelf 7 1/2 in deep, attached to stretchers at back. Shelf is pine. Drawer bottom is cherry; drawer sides mahogany. Drawer back replaced, as confirmed by pencil inscription on upper surface of drawer bottom: "NEW BACK". Lock replaced; rectangular patch surrounding keyhole. Another patch near left knob. Drawer front extends 1 1/8 in beyond right drawer side, in order to fit the non-equilateral trapezoidal case. Ring-turned sections below vase-turned feet are added. Three holes in bottom of each foot, indicating former presence of button. Left front foot broken and repaired with nail. Four glue blocks added together with an extra block to support removable tray. Hinged lid above tray probably added. An engraved silver plate at back of slanted top: "DANIEL WEBSTER'S DESK / IN CONGRESS, 1823-1827. / PRESENTED BY CORDULIA [sic] JACKSON, 1916". Pencil inscription on underside of drawer: "NO 77 (?)" "7" and illegible chalk mark on drawer rail.
- Material:
- Wood
Brass
Cherry
Mahogany
Pine - Dimensions:
- H-31 L-26.75 D-21 inches
- Provenance:
- Gift of Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Charles Lanman (1819-1895), Webster's private secretary and biographer (see contradictory note below). The desk was part of Lanman's furnishings until the death of Mrs. Adeline Dodge Lanman (1824-1914). Purchased from the Lanman estate by the donor, Cordelia Jackson, who was a close friend of the Lanman's adopted daughter, Tsuda Umeko (1864-1929). (The tradition that Webster gave the desk to Lanman may be incorrect, as the desks are believed to have been used in the House until sold at auction in 1858.)
- Credit Line:
- Gift of Cordelia Jackson
Electronic Resources are only available to New Hampshire Historical Society members. To access electronic resources, please join the New Hampshire Historical Society.