Collection Highlights
Leg brace
ca. 1940
2002.76
Leather, metal
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Writing desk
Object name
Writing desk
Date
1800-1840
Medium
Mahogany, brass, textile, paper
Dimensions
Desk: 5 3/8 x 14 3/4 x 9 7/8 in. (13.7 x 37.5 x 25.1 cm)
Description
Rectangular mahogany writing desk with flat, hinged top with brass plaque (rectangular with flat chamfers) at center, with inscription, brass rosette mounts with bail handle at each side of desk, and brass diamond-shaped plate; desk opens out to reveal slanted writing surface covered in green felt, leading up to set of four compartments of various sizes at highest end of open desk, with central compartment also divided into two by addition of tray; each end of writing surface can be folded back to reveal spaces underneath; newspaper clipping (torn) in one side of desk.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Charles Adler
Object Number
1948.77
Marks
engraved: in script on brass plaque on top: "S.W. McAllister"
written: in black ink on paper pasted under writing surface: "This writing desk I leave to my dear darling/Grandson Ward McAllister to remember his/grandmother/and request his aunt Frances will have his name/engraved on the brass plate on the top of it"
written: in black ink on paper pasted under first paper: "This desk belonged to my great grandmother/Ms. Benjamin Clarke Cutter of Boston, Mass n
Gallery Label
According to accession records, this writing desk was given to Ward McAllister by his grandmother.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
