Desk

Object Name:

Desk

Object ID:

1888.005.01.1

Creator:

Blanchard, Porter (1788-1871)Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

1819

Description:

Desk. Made by Porter Blanchard (1788-1871), Concord, New Hampshire; 1819. For use by the New Hampshire State Senate. Maple, birch, mahogany, cherry. Rectangular desk or writing table, with a tier of open compartments behind a slanted writing surface. Tier has a curved recess at center; at each side are three pigeonholes above a horizontal compartment. Each set of pigeonholes is flanked by engaged half round colonnettes with corresponding colonnettes on back surface of tier. Top of tier is incurved at center to correspond with curved recess and breaks out above each colonnette. Writing surface is recessed for a baize inset. Two drawer each extending half the width of the front. Each drawer has beaded edges and two wooden knobs. Rails have beaded edging which extends across top of legs. Four turned and tapered legs with ring-and-bulb turned necks, ring turned anklets and tapered cylindrical feet with button terminals. Tops of legs adjacent to rails, are decorated with reeded triglyphs on both exposed surfaces. Fronts of drawers and of curved recess veneered with bird's-eye maple. Rails, together with top and back of tier, are solid bird's-eye maple. Legs, lower drawer rail, edges of writing surface, and molded edgings are birch. Drawer knobs of triglyphs and colonnettes are mahogany. Green felt, bordered with woven tape, on writing surface is a replacement. A steel lock is in each drawer; no escutcheons. "1" and "11" in chalk on drawer bottoms.On the back there are four columns on the upper tier.

Material:

Wood
Maple
Birch
Mahogany
Cherry

Dimensions:

H-44 W-60.5 D-31.5 inches

Provenance:

Part of the original furnishings of the State House in Concord, NH (built 1816-19), with a tradition of having been used in the Senate chamber. 1819 bill from Concord cabinetmaker Porter Blanchard survives and includes several desks and circular tables. Two curved writing tables were acquired by NHHS together with this desk. Two related desks of rectangular type are presently known. This furniture was used in the State House until replaced in 1866.
Received from the State of New Hampshire on 10/23/1888 according to Library Accession Book 1881-93, p. 1.

Credit Line:

Gift of the State of New Hampshire

People:

Blanchard, Porter (1788-1871)