Collection Highlights
Water VII
1997
2002.13.2
Graphite over ground on heavy paper with deckled edges
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Member's desk from Federal Hall
Object name
Member's desk from Federal Hall
Date
ca. 1788
Medium
Mahogany; tulip poplar, white pine
Dimensions
Overall: 31 x 92 x 15 1/2 in. ( 78.7 x 233.7 x 39.4 cm )
Description
Curved mahogany desk section from Federal Hall; unit part of larger circular or oval seating arrangement; slant-toped writing surface with four rectangular pen and ink bottle wells above four drawers with scratch-beaded fronts and brass bail handle and escutchon (probably replaced according to accession records), carved oval paterae on ends of inner rail and above center leg; left end curved, right end with mortices; three tapered cylindrical legs with stop-fluting and bulbous feet on inner side of curve, three straight cylindrical legs with stop fluting on outer side of curve; according to the accession records, this desk is half the size of an original, and the legs have been cut down.
Credit Line
Gift of the Corportation of the City of New York
Object Number
1837.4
Gallery Label
This desk was part of the furnishings of Federal Hall, New York City, the home of the First U.S. Congress of the United States. The furniture has sometimes been attributed to Pierre L'Enfant, the architect of Federal Hall, but this has not been substantiated. Other pieces from Federal Hall are in the Museum of the City of New York.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
