Museum Collections
Decorative Arts
Secretary desk and bookcase
Object name
Secretary desk and bookcase
Date
1760-1780
Medium
Mahogany; white pine
Dimensions
Overall: 94 x 41 x 23 in. ( 238.8 x 104.1 x 58.4 cm )
Description
Mahogany Chippendale secretary; bookcase crowned by broken-scroll pediment terminating in floral carved rosette and fitted with urn-and-corkscrew finials in the center and mounted on small plinths on either side; bookcase has arched panel doors flanked by fluted pilasters with two candleslides beneath; lower case with retaining molding on top; slant top opens to reveal shell-carved prospect door flanked by columned document drawers flanked by two pigeon holes above single drawer, flanked by bank of three drawers with shell-carved upper drawer; lower case with block front and four graduated drawers; ogee bracket feet.
Credit Line
Bequest of Irving S. Olds
Object Number
1963.99
Marks
handwritten: in chalk on side of left document drawer: "Farmington"
Gallery Label
Several small details -- especially the ogees at the top of each paneled door, the finely carved panel molding, and the pattern of the tympanum -- associate this desk and bookcase with a group of particularly fine Boston desks and bookcases of the 1750s and later.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.





