A Fine Ladies Inlaid Secretary-Tambour Doors
Mahogany and mahogany veneer...eastern white pine and birch
Attributed to the Seymour Shop
Portland, Maine or Boston
Circa 1780-1805 - SOLD

The design and construction features of this Federal secretary are specifically within the shop traditions of John and Thomas Seymour. The hinged uppercase door centering the tambour doors with plain reeds are found on a few extant Seymour secretaries. Both upper and lower cases have inlays at both sides simulating fluted pilasters. The mock-flutes consist of a series of alternating plain white stringing separated by narrow bands of cross-grain mahogany. On the lower case, the pilasters terminate top and bottom with triangles with similar alternating bands of stringing and banding set horizontally. Another Seymour design is the "well" formed behind the folding writing surface, which the uppercase fits into. The hinged writing flap has a molding applied to the rear edge; backboards are joined to the rear legs with mortise and tenon joints having no pins. The pine top on which the top case rests is joined to the main pine board with tongue-and-groove joints that exposed and visible at the rear.
Furthering the shop tradition is the interior; compartments have precisely shaped and balanced valances of a recognizable design beneath a pair of short string inlaid drawers centered by the banded prospect door with conch-inlay centering the sting inlay. The central door opens to reveal two drawers above double letter compartments conforming to the outside compartment profiles. The lower case with two long drawers veneered with superior grained figured mahogany and applied bead-molded edges and string inlay is raised on double tapered legs having graduated bellflower inlays. (Height: 43.5 inches; Width: 36 inches; Depth: 19.25 inches.)

270-9