Desk and Bookcase

Object Name:

Desk and Bookcase

Object ID:

1993.016

Creator:

Adams, Stephen (1778-1859) -- Cabinetmaker

Place of Origin:

Haverhill, NH

Date:

1805-1815

Description:

Desk and Bookcase. Attributed to Stephen Adams (1788-1859), Haverhill NH; 1805-1815. Cherry, bird's-eye maple, and other hardwoods. Hepplewhite style. Desk has two drawers with diamond-shaped inlaid keyhole surrounds. Chippendale-style brass knobs. Two pull-out supports with brass knobs, for hinged writing surface with green felt. Square tapered legs. Bookcase has two hinged doors, each with five glass panes, including central diamond-shaped piece. Two adjustable bookshelves. Sliding doors of vertical wooden strips (tambour). Four small interior drawers above 3 compartments. Three drawers have brass knobs, and one (second from left) has keyhole. White chalk signature on bottom of left drawer: "John Nelson". Pencil inscriptions on right side of right drawer, including "NELSON". Pencil signature on left side of second drawer: "....B. Nelson". Pencil inscription on back of bookcase, "The Property of S.F. Hook".

Material:

Wood
Cherry
Maple

Dimensions:

H-61 W-39 D-20 inches

Provenance:

Possibly among contents of shop which Samuel F. Hook (1815-1891) bought from cabinetmaker Stephen Adams (1778-1859) in 1839. Later owned in the family of John Nelson (1778-1859), a Haverhill lawyer. Remained in Nelson-Kimball-Hildreth house in Haverhill until desk was sold at auction in 1979, when it was purchased by Alma Duckworth. Mrs. Duckworth deeded it to NHHS in 1979, but kept it in her house in Orford, and later North Haverhill, until NHHS took custody in 1993. Mrs. Duckworth died Aug. 5, 2003.

Credit Line:

Gift of Alma Duckworth

People:

Adams, Stephen (1778-1859), Nelson, John (1778-1859), Hook, Samuel F. (1815-1891), Duckworth, Alma (1899-2003)