Desk and Bookcase
- Object Name:
- Desk and Bookcase
- Object ID:
- 1926.015
- Place of Origin:
- Northeastern MA or southeastern NH
- Date:
- 1810-1820
- Description:
- Desk and Bookcase. Hepplewhite style, associated with the Meshech Weare family. Mahogany; unidentified light wood inlay; secondary wood: white pine. Flat-topped cabinet section above base having four graduated drawers. Upper section has two doors, each surmounted by a drawer. Left door is hinged at lower edge and opens outward. Lower section has applied ogee moldings on top into which upper case fits; four, tall, straight bracket feet and scrolled skirt with central drop. Top of lower case has slanted front surface which projects forward 8.5" beyond cabinet section and forms a supporting ledge for fall-front lid, when open. Each drawer in lower case has an elongated octagonal escutcheon and two brass handles, each composed of an oval plate with stamped thistle design and bail. Escutcheon on each cabinet door matching those on drawers. Brass knob on each of drawer above cabinet, the one at left with decorative mask design. Cabinet doors and lower drawers bordered with light line stringing. Cabinet doors and upper drawers each decorated with a panel formed of light line stringing; similar decoration on slanted surface, including only three sides of rectangle along outer edges. Triple line stringing extending around front and sides of case above skirt. Interior of each cabinet has three pigeonholes with scalloped heads surmounted by two drawers, each extending full width of cabinet. Brass knobs on interior drawers.
Sides of upper section are solid mahogany; remainder of visible surface venerated with mahogany. Full bottom board. Cut nails used in construction. Steel lock on each of three upper drawers in lower case; lower escutcheon "blind." Brass and steel lock on cabinet doors. Oval patch in veneer of lowermost drawer front. White felt writing surface on fall-front lid. Two Roman numerals on interior executed with a race knife. Additional numerals in chalk.
Keys stored separately. - Material:
- Wood
Metal - Dimensions:
- H-57.5 W-41 D-19.25 inches
- Provenance:
- Formerly in the Currier-Smith home, South Hampton, NH, the desk was acquired by Mrs. Rollins in 1919 from Ursula Smith (1857-1929), daughter of Nathaniel S. and Sabrina (Currier) Smith. Ursula received as a bequest from her mother's sister, Sarah "Sally" Currier (1820-1905). Sally and Sabrina are daughters of Mary Tappan Currier (1793-1863) of East Kingston, NH, who also likely owned the desk. Mary Tappan Currier's mother was Abigail Weare (1749-1823). According to family tradition, the desk came "from Gov. Weare's". The desk was probably bought at a 19th-century auction of Meshech Weare effects.
- Credit Line:
- New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase
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