Desk and Bookcase

Object Name:

Desk and Bookcase

Object ID:

1952.010

Creator:

Cumston & Buckminster -- Cabinetmaker

Place of Origin:

Saco, ME

Date:

1809-1816

Description:

Desk and Bookcase. Attributed to Cumston & Buckminster, Saco, ME; 1809-1816. Sheraton style. Woods: mahogany, mahogany veneer, maple, maple veneer, birch veneer, cherry, pine secondary wood, and inlay. Extensive use of inlay and figured veneers throughout front (none on sides, except for lower case along the bottom). Desk and bookcase made up of an upper case and a lower case. Upper case includes bookshelf with glass-front doors, below which are three side-by-side cabinets, each with a door. The lower case consists of a drop-front desk on top, and four drawers below. Upper case sits in molding in rear of lower case.
Upper Case: There is a pediment (on the front only) that has central square of birdseye maple. The square is surrounded with string inlay. On both sides of the pediment are mahogany pieces in serpentine shape. The base of the pediment has string inlay which includes both dentition and diagonal elements. Below the pediment is a cornice of concave molding, which is also mahogany. Below that is the bookcase, with two doors.
Upper Case, Bookcase: Bookcase doors are of mortise and tenon construction. The door fronts are divided into four Gothic arches all outlined with string inlay of diagonal pattern. Each arch has a tiny horizontal capital of inlay. Each arch is divided into three vertical panels (glass panes) and each separated with string inlay. The spaces between the arch tops are all veneered with flame birch. Door framed with several more veneers and inlays, including flame birch. There is a steel lock on the right hand door with octagonal bone escutcheon; the left door has a brass post lock at the bottom only. Each door is attached to case with two brass hinges. The interior contains two adjustable shelves; shelves fit into grooves, there are four possible height settings. Each shelf is made up of a panel of secondary wood (unidentified) which is painted/stained, with a strip of molded primary wood on the front edge. Entire interior, including mullions, stained red/brown (making wood identification difficult -- sides possibly cherry, base probably mahogany). Back of case made of several pine boards, laid horizontally, attached with nails.
Upper Case, Cabinets: Below the bookcase are three cabinets, each with a locking door. Each door has breadboard ends (center one has ends on top and bottom, side compartments have breadboard ends on the side), and has fronts that are fully covered with veneers and inlay. The center door has an oval of flame birch veneer surrounded by oval of string inlay of diagonal pattern. The remainder of the door is birdseye maple veneer, edged with string inlay of diagonal pattern and dentition pattern. The center door is 12 1/4" high x 8 1/2" wide and is attached with two brass hinges. The other two doors are 12 1/4" high x 14 1/2" wide, attached with two brass hinges. The outer doors each have central panel of birdseye maple veneer, stained dark, surrounded by flame birch veneer and edged with string inlay of triangular pattern. Each door has an octagonal bone escutcheon, and a lock (locks on center and left doors mounted upside-down).
Interiors of each cabinet fully stained dark red/brown, except the tops. Center cabinet interior has two drawers on bottom with open space above. Drawers are dovetail construction; with mahogany fronts and secondary woods for the remainder. Backs of drawers have one hand wrought nail each. Upper drawer marked with "T" on back rail; lower drawer is marked with "B" on back rail. Left cabinet has three full width drawers atop three-side-by side pigeon holes. Pigeonholes have decorative valences. Interior of pigeonholes painted and grained. Drawer construction same as described for center cabinet. Top drawer marked "Top" in pencil on back rail, second drawer marked "TL" in pencil on back rail, and has a "2" on the bottom. The third drawer is marked "BL" in pencil on the back rail and has a "3" on the bottom. The right cabinet has no interior features.
Lower Case, Desk: Folding writing lid rests on two lopers of mahogany with red stain and a veneer on the front strip (probably birch with line inlay) each with small brass knob. When writing lid is unfolded the depth is 17" of writing surface. It does not rest on both lopers as the board is warped and only rests on the edge of the left loper. The writing lid slants down when open. The writing surface is a board with breadboard ends. It has green felt which is approximately 15" by 37.5" surrounded on all edges with 1.25" of tiger maple stained dark. Lid is held onto rest of desk with three hinges. String inlay visible on both edges of folding top when closed. String inlay diagonal pattern.
Lower Case, Drawers: Four-drawers in lower case, all of dovetail construction. All drawers have locks, octagonal bone escutcheons, and pair of oval brass bail drawer pulls (replacements). All drawers have fully veneered fronts, figured birch which is stained dark covers most of the drawer, then dark string inlay, finally a band of figured birch veneer which is light; drawers are edged with mahogany cock-beading. Drawers are graduated: upper drawer - 4.1" high, second drawer - 4.75"; third drawer - 4.75"; bottom drawer - 5.75". Numbers "3" and "4" written in pencil on back and sides of top, second and bottom drawers; number "3" only on the third drawer. Drawer insides are all varnished. Underside of drawer bottoms are left as rough cut wood; no planks between drawers. Pair of glue blocks on case interior behind each drawer (i.e., drawers are shallower than the case). Solid plank bottom to lower case.
Lower Case, Base: A skirt is present on the front only, supported from behind by glue blocks. Skirt has a center drop panel of flame birch veneer, with remainder being mahogany veneer. Two sets of string inlay across the bottom, and wrap around to the sides of the case: one diagonal, and the other Greek key pattern. Those two lines of inlay go around the bottom and sides of drop panel. Only the diagonal string inlay goes across the top of the drop panel. Case appears to be cherry, back is pine. Most of the secondary wood is pine. French feet (lower 2" rebuilt).
Keys are stored separately (note that there are four different keys for the eight locks on this secretary).

Material:

Wood
Textile
Glass
Brass

Dimensions:

H-79.25 W-40.25 D-29.375 inches

Provenance:

Purchased by Miss Isabel Paul from her great aunt, Miss Parna (Panny) Towle (1818-1911). This piece and the card table (1952.018) of the same bequest are thought to have come from Exeter or Epping, NH. They are described in legatee's will as "my Hepplewhite secretary and card table which matches it." Secretary at one time (c.1980s) attributed to Langley Boardman, Portsmouth cabinetmaker. More recent research (c. 2000) on construction/decoration details suggests that both pieces probably were made in Saco, Maine (possibly by Cumston & Buckminster), where Parna Towle also had a residence.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Isabel Paul

People:

Paul, Isabel (1865-1951), Towle, Parna (1818-1911), Cumston, Joshua M. (1784-1835), Buckminster, David (1786-1849)