Desk and Bookcase

Object Name:

Desk and Bookcase

Object ID:

1983.002.01

Date:

circa 1810

Description:

Desk and bookcase, Federal style. Mahogany and mahogany veneer, with pine, cherry, and ash secondary woods. Two cases; upper case is a bookcase with Chippendale-style glass front doors, lower case is a drop-front desk and three drawers. Cases are of dovetail construction, except for the backs which are panel construction.
Upper Case. Pediment (found in top drawer) has central block with flaring sides, ending in plinths (one missing); plinth and central block have holes to receive finials (missing; one brass ball found in desk may have been part of a finial). Central block decorated with an oval of flame birch veneer, surrounded by string inlay; sides of pediment outlined with string inlay; plinth decorated with an oval of string inlay. Wide molded cornice below pediment, decorated with alternating small blocks of black (ebony) and white wood, giving the impression of dentition. This banding continues on the sides. Below cornice is figured birch (?) veneer with string and leaves inlay. The cornice extends 4.75" above top of bookcase, which forms a hollow space above the bookcase. The bookcase interior has 3 removable and adjustable shelves. Sides of bookcase lined with approx. 1/8" sheets of mahogany. Breaks between sheets form the support for shelves; edges are rounded, giving the impression of beaded edging. The rear of the bookcase is panel construction with two vertical panels with chamfer edges, fitted into slats. The rear is pine, stained light red brown. Bottom and top boards of bookcase are also pine. Shelves are pine boards with a strip of molded mahogany on front edges. Doors are each attached with two brass hinges. Brass lined keyholes on each door; lock on the right door only; left keyhole is blind. Left door has post locks on both top and bottom. Both doors have Chippendale-style glass fronts with 13 individual glass panes separated by molded wood strips. The central glass panes are 6 sided. Several of the glass panes are cracked or broken. Door interiors are stained dark red brown. Exterior of door has two lines of string inlay. Doors are panel construction.
Lower Case. Drawer fronts mahogany with secondary woods, dovetail construction; string inlay along the edges; beading on case around each drawer opening. Drawer pulls are replacement flat brass bail handles.
Desk. Closed front of drop-front desk made to look like the drawers below, although taller (10.625"). The desk unit is a dovetailed case, that can be fully removed. Desk front is attached with two flat brass hinges on the writing surface, plus two brass arched hinges on the side. Desk opens to a relatively flat surface. Behind writing surface is a series of compartments, in three sections. The center section is 7" wide, and is missing it's door (hinge present). It has two drawers (mahogany fronts, dovetail construction), each with a single small brass drawer pull. Lower of the two drawers has a cut nail/tack stuck in it. Upper drawer inside has brass ball, two keys and several unidentified objects. Center section is flanked by identical left and right sections; these sections have a bottom level of 4 pigeonholes each with carved pediments, a middle level of two drawers (drawers marked with roman numerals, "II", "VII", and "VIII"), and a top level of one drawer, marked "I" (note that Christmas greetings card found behind left drawer, singed Margaret P. Varney; note also that two drawers on the right side are stuck, and unable to be opened; one is missing a pull). Bottom of desk is pine with a strip of mahogany in the front. Many ink stains on desk surface. Several " X "s on bottom of desk. Full dustboard under desk.
Three drawers below desk. Each drawer has a brass lined keyhole and lock (bottom drawer missing lock); drawers are graduated (desk -- 10.625" high; first drawer -- 6"; second drawer -- 7"; bottom drawer -- 7.75"). The first drawer contains pediment pieces (approx. 41.125" long, excluding plinths) and other pieces of wood, molding, and hardware. Drawers have several repairs; repairs to the top drawer include several strips of wood to add support and the use of cloth tape over a large crack. The second drawer also has repairs using cloth tape. There is a full dust board between the second and third drawers. Bottom board also present.
Back of lower case is panel construction, consisting of two vertical panels with chamfered edges in slats. Base of case has molding above bracket feet; modest decorative carving on bracket feet. No skirt present.

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Ash
Pine
Cherry
Brass
Glass

Dimensions:

H-84.25 W-44 D-14 inches

Provenance:

From the George Ffrost Homestead, Durham, NH. Donors are descendants of the Ffrost family of Dover and Durham, NH.

Credit Line:

Gift of George F. Sawyer and Charles H. Sawyer

People:

Sawyer, George F. (1902-1992), Sawyer, Charles H. (1906-2005)