Wallingford or Middletown, Connecticut
The secretary features a potently pitched broken-arched pediment with sunburst terminals and linked chain cutouts in the tympanum; above two flat paneled bookcase doors featuring applied moldings. The doors open to a simple yet pleasing interior displaying a fan carved prospect door behind which is a single drawer beneath a valanced cubby; prospect section is centered by document drawers, and three valanced cubbies over two banks of drawers on each side.
The lowercase with a slanted fall board for writing, features a nicely developed valanced interior with dividers over drawer banks. There is a shell carved prospect door at the center. The lower section containing four graduated drawers within cock-beaded openings rests on a molded base raised on ogee-bracket feet.
Item Date: 1790-1810
Measurement: Height: 90.25"; Top Case: 36" x 10"; Bottom Case: 39" x 21"
Material: Cherrywood
Item Condition: Old refinish displaying good color and patina; repairs to tight cracks in tympanum; the sides have a tight fissure. The feet have been dinged by floor cleaners and there are some repairs to interior desk drawers & lower hinged edge of fall board. The cartouche and brasses are correct replacements. Overall, this rare desk-bookcase remains in fine condition with only trivial imperfections consistent with age and use that have been professionally repaired. Minor repairs to applied drawer edge cockbeaded molding with approximate three-quarters of the bottom drawer top molding replaced. There are "vacuum cleaner dings" to the foot facings however, no replacements. Although not original the brasses are period. Drawers within the writing section of desk have been conserved; tightened etc., perhaps two-valances are replaced otherwise all else fine. The finial was copied from an example published in Connecticut River Valley Furniture by Kugelman and Lionetti.
Price: $32,500
SKU 621-188
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.
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