Desk and Bookcase

Object Name:

Desk and Bookcase

Object ID:

1992.048.03

Place of Origin:

New Hampshire

Date:

circa 1815

Description:

Desk and Bookcase, late Federal style. Mahogany, birch, satinwood, and maple veneers; light wood inlay; and pine and maple secondary wood. Two cases: upper case with three veneered doors, covering pigeonholes and drawers; lower case with slanted fall-front desk and 4 drawers. Upper Case: Top cornice of beaded cove molding. Top case has string inlay across front and sides, in a diamond pattern. Column-shaped inlay on both ends of the upper case. String inlay on edges of doors. Door fronts veneered with flame satinwood. Top case has 3 doors; inside are sections of pigeon holes and drawers. Each door has a lock and oval escutcheon. Behind left hand door are 3 tiers: bottom tier has 3 pigeon holes with scalloped cornices, middle and top tiers have drawer with small brass drawer pulls. Drawers are all of dovetail construction. Door fronts appear to be mahogany with secondary wood being pine. Red wash on all visible interior parts. Marking in blue crayon on side on top drawer (mostly illegible): "__nat s". "X" in pencil on back panel of both drawers. Pigeon holes also have red wash. The middle section has a drawer and open space. The drawer also has an "X" on the back, is dovetail construction, and has a red wash. There seem to be various inscriptions of numbers and letters on the interior of the center door, chalk, illegible. The right door is locked (no key found). Lower Case: Fall-front desk opens to rests on two lopers with brass pulls; brass desk hinges. Writing surface covered with green felt (replacement), and edged with flame satin wood veneer. with brass hinges. Below desk are 4 drawers (top drawer is 4 1/4" high, all others are 5 1/2" high). Several are marked on their back boards with an "X". Drawer fronts are veneer with birdseye maple edges and figured satinwood centers. Each drawer has pressed brass escutcheons with locks, and two pressed brass oval drawer pulls with bail handles (drawer pulls are replacements). All drawers are dovetail with added nails in back, and have small support blocks on underside of drawer fronts. Bottom board present, but no dust boards. Back of case made of 2 horizontal panels. Serpentine carved skirt on front and sides. Legs appear to have been cut off, with new turned maple feet added. Brass casters also added. Restoration mark stamped underneath: "RESTORED / APRIL 1956 / by / Bill ___ / [PINI]STON ALA". Piece of broken veneer and edge molding found in bottom drawer.

Material:

Wood
Birch
Satinwood
Maple
Pine
Metal

Dimensions:

H-52.75 W-41.5 D-20.5 inches

Provenance:

This desk and bookcase, possibly made in southeastern New Hampshire is one of eight family heirlooms bequeathed to the NH Historical Society by Ann Cummings of Falls Church, VA. While two of the items are from Cochran ancestors in Pembroke, NH, others, including this piece, may have descended from earlier generations living nearer the seacoast.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Ann Cummings

People:

Cummings, Ann (1914-1992)