Desk and Bookcase
- Object Name:
- Desk and Bookcase
- Object ID:
- 1933.001.13
- Place of Origin:
- Concord, NH (possibly)
- Date:
- 1815-1820
- Description:
- Desk, Bookcase, and Blanket Drawer, in three sections. Mahogany, cherry and birch; unidentified light wood inlays; secondary woods are white pine and cherry. Two superimposed cabinet sections each having two doors opening outward. A gallery on front and ends of top with three plinths. Upper doors have cock-beaded edges and cross banding around central panel, which is slightly recessed and has molded edges. Panels of lower doors are flat and framed by a bead within a cross band. Each lower panel is decorated with a rectangle of light line stringing having incurved corners. Lower doors also edged with cock-beads. An oval stamped brass escutcheon on each door. Upper door 26" high, lower doors 16 3/4" high. Lower case has folding writing flap, supported on slides when open, and two drawers simulating the appearance of three. Flap decorated on outer surface with cross-banded edges and a panel of stringing similar to those on doors above. Lowest drawer is more than twice as deep as upper drawer. Lower case has appearance of three drawers each having two wooden knobs, beaded edges and an oval brass escutcheon. Beaded edging at bottom of case on front and sides. Engaged three-quarter round colonnettes at front corners beneath slightly slanted writing surface. Colonnettes are reeded for most of their length, with ring turnings above and below. Four reeded legs with bulbous and ring elements--those at front being extensions, below the case, of the engaged colonnettes.
Two movable shelves with beaded front edges in each of upper cabinets. Lower right cabinet fitted with seven vertical scrolled partitions. Four pigeonholes with arched heads in lower left cabinet, surmounted by three layers of drawers with brass knobs and a horizontally oriented compartment above. Each of upper sections fits into a molding around top of case below. Front edges of desk flap beaded. Brass swivel catch at top of upper cabinets.
Cock beads on lower case cherry except for uppermost, which is probably birch. Remainder of visible surface of case mahogany or mahogany veneer. Upper door stiles and rails veneered on cherry. Partial bottom board. Chalk initials on backboard of upper section: "BG". Cabinet interiors largely lined with marbleized paper. Writing flap recessed on interior for fabric inset. No evidence that a finial was ever installed on central plinth. Turned caps on outer plinths may be based of former wooden finials. Steel locks on both drawers in main case, on top interior drawer and on lower cabinets. Former lock for upper cabinet now missing. One "blind" escutcheon on deep lower drawer. - Material:
- Wood
Metal - Dimensions:
- H-88.125 W-42.125 D-22.375 inches
- Provenance:
- From the home of the donor's great-grandfather, John Bradley (1743-1815) and Hannah Ayer Bradley (1751-1817) of Concord, NH. The house was built by Bradley in 1769 and torn down by the donor in 1912.
- Credit Line:
- Gift of Margaret H. Jewell
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