Collection Highlights
The Solitary Oak (The Old Oak)
1844
1858.75
Oil on canvas (relined)
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Writing desk
Object name
Writing desk
Date
ca. 1795
Medium
Brass, ivory, textile, metal, glass, cork, mahogany
Dimensions
Overall: 4 5/8 x 15 5/8 x 9 3/8 in. ( 11.7 x 39.7 x 23.8 cm )
Description
Rectangular wooden writing desk with flat, hinged lid, rosette mounts with bail handle on each side, and ivory escutcheon; green textile writing surface, with compartments containing sand shaker, ink bottle, key on ribbon, orange wax seal; two extra wood trays; paper label on inner compartment and inscription on other lid.
Credit Line
Gift of George C. McWhorter
Object Number
1895.14
Marks
impressed: on sealing wax: "McW"
written: in ink on underside of writing surface, in script: "M. T. Laurance N. York/July 20th 1810/presented to her by her (father.)"
written: on paper label pasted under writing surface: "This desk was made about 100 yrs ago by Caleb Bruen [?] (1735-1818) a cabinet-maker in Newark, NJ, for John Laurance a U.S. senator from New York who had a summer residence in Newark. Mr. Lawrence gave the desk to his youngest daughter, the sketch of J.L. by [illeg.] on file in the N.Y. Historical Society. Caleb Bruen was the father of Matthias Bruen of Perth Amboy, NJ the grandfather of Matthias [illeg.] Geo. W. [illeg.] Herman [illeg.] W. Whitehouse. Alex M Bruen of New York. Geo. L. M Whorter [illeg.]"
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
