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Secretary Bookcases
Vermont Secretary, Unique Late Federal Creation, Figured Butternut & Maple
An outstanding high-quality ambitious effort displaying great classical style…
Probably West Central Vermont
Date/Period: Circa 1825
Measurement: Height: 73.5"; width: 44"; depth 22"
Material: Butternut, butternut and birds eye maple veneers, cherry, pine, and basswood
Condition: Shrinkage crack to right-proper lower-case side [recessed panel]
where mortised to stile, all else very good, any trivial imperfections commensurate with age.
Additional Information: This wonderful example, displaying brilliant color, is,
sophisticated in concept and execution…it’s all about architecture and wood selection.
The flat upper section features an elegant complex cornice molding above a band of book
matched veneers surmounting a pair of contrasting figured-tambour doors centered by slightly
projecting reeded columns behind which are beaded shelves and vertical ledger compartments.
The mid-section with fall-front [writing slope] lid opens to expose a fitted interior having
drawers, and valanced cubbies.
The lower section with three short projecting drawers over two long drawers flanked by
ring-turned, and rope-twist carved columns; drawer crossbanding joins veneered corner
blocks – all within cockbeaded moldings…the whole raised on a base featuring canted oyster
burl veneered frieze joining projecting column plinths above
appropriately proportioned turned feet.
$6,500.00
410-237
Click on an image to enlarge.
Secretary Desk, Bookcase, Attributed to Silas Rice (1770-1853)
Wallingford or Middletown, Connecticut
Date/Period: 1790-1810
Measurement: Height: 90.25"; top case: 36" x 10"; bottom case: 39" x 21"
Material: Cherrywood
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 “in-use” imperfections that have been 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 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.
Additional Information: The secretary having 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…doors open to a simple
functional interior; above a desk having a slanted fall board for writing, with a nicely
developed valanced interior with dividers over drawer banks, having a shell carved
prospect door at center; the base of four graduated drawers surrounded by cock-
beading; resting on ogee-bracket feet.
$35,500.00
621-188
Click on an image to enlarge.
Secretary Desk, Bookcase, Upper Connecticut Valley, Western Massachusetts
Date/Period: Circa 1770-1780
Measurement: Height: 95"; top case: 39.5" x 9.75"; bottom case: 41.5" x 19.75"
Material: Cherrywood
Condition: Excellent
Provenance: John S. Walton, 1957 to Jeannette Marks [Lexington, Kentucky] 1987 to
private Ohio collection…thence to AAAWT.
Additional Information: In two sections, the upper case with molded swan’s-neck
pediment centering three flame finials above a blind-fret carved frieze over double
scallop-paneled doors enclosing a compartmented interior comprising of a row of
valanced pigeonholes above adjustable shelves; the lower case with thumbmolded slant
lid enclosing a compartmented interior comprised of a row of valanced pigeonholes
centering a fan-carved drawer above five blocked and serpentine short drawers
over three drawers, the reverse-serpentine case with four graduated long drawers over
a conforming molded base, on short cabriole legs continuing to ball and claw feet.
$29,750.00
621-180
Click on an image to enlarge.
Secretary, Hepplewhite, Flame Birch, Glazed Doors, Hinged Writing Surface
Northshore of Massachusetts or Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Date/Period: 1800
Measurement: Height: 70"; writing height: 34.5"; top case: 39.75" x 12";
bottom case: 40.25" x 20.5"
Material: Mahogany, flame birch veneers, mixed wood inlays
Condition: One of the eglomise panels may be replaced, brasses are old
replacements; writing surface baize is not original; minor losses to inlay. The brass
eagle finial is not period. Cornice returns are restored. Displays beautifully.
Additional Information: An outstanding Federal example featuring spectacular
matched flame birch veneers. In two parts, the shaped cornice with central inlaid panel
above projecting molding and long rectangular panel and two doors featuring eglomise
panels above interlaced mullions of sophisticated design. The center section with three
doors that open to interior drawers and valanced cubbies sits within the molded waist of
lower case. The foldout writing surface rests on loppers above three drawers…the
whole raised on French feet joining shaped apron.
$17,850.00
271-73
Click on an image to enlarge.
New Hampshire Bookcase on Three-Drawer Chest,
Superbly Inlaid, Original Brasses
Fan Inlaid Secretary Bureau…Inlays possibly
by William Lloyd of Springfield, MA
Date/Period: Circa 1790-1810
Measurement: 20 x 41 x 53.5"
Material: Birch, white pine
Condition: Overall condition is fine, very nice patina; original surface and brasses
Additional Information: Likely Concord or Central New Hampshire, Circle of George
Rogers, or Levi Bartlett. This urban piece features integrated, patterned, and plain
inlays.
The bookcase with projecting inlaid top features a pair of fielded panel doors
displaying center inlay; mortice and tenon joined fielded panel doors also feature
conforming string inlay joined by quarter-fans. The top of lower case, also projecting,
features handmade inlay within its edge; the case containing three graduated drawers
featuring inlays that conform to paneled doors is joined by square inlayed stiles that
continue to tapered legs displaying matching inlays. The doors open to an interior
offering a fullwidth bookshelf above a ledger compartment having corner-brackets…
flanked by drawers, beneath are nine valanced cubbies. An unusual form, perhaps
unique or special order.
Found within the desk is a very old piece of toned paper identifying an owner: “Miss
Lydia A. Cobb – Littleton, NH” , Lydia was a member of the Women’ s Christian
Temperance Union in Littleton during the 1880s. A trust fund in the amount of $143.95
was established as the Lydia A. Cobb, Cemetery Lot Fund on January 1, 1948.
$6,850
1335-48
Click on an image to enlarge.
Eighteenth Century Secretary Desk, Bonet Top, Carved, Original Finials
New Hampshire
Date/Period: Circa 1780 - SOLD
Measurement: Height: 84.5"; top case: 37.75" x 9"; bottom case: 39.75" x 20.5"
Material: Maple, and white pine
Condition: Very good, trivial minor imperfections; top backboard of lower case is an old
replacement; brasses are second set installed within original borings. Nineteenth
century repair to bottom drawer upper thumb molded upper lip (about 5-inches by .25-
inch).
History: According to family history and a document dated 1985 the piece was made
for Isaac Duncan and remained in the family by descent. Four paragraphs of information
and other notes accompany the desk.
Additional Information: Scroll-top secretary or desk/bookcase with Hancock, New
Hampshire history. Scrolled molded pediment above a pair of paneled doors flanked by
pilasters and original finials; interior with two fixed shelves. Slant lid opening to desk
interior of valanced compartments flanking two short drawers of the same height as
compartments above a course of five drawers – above a projecting course of three
drawers. Behind the lower center drawer is found a hidden drawer. The lower case
containing four graduated thumb-molded drawers is raised on molded base resting on
applied dovetail joined bracket base featuring a central robust fan-carved dropped
pendent. The base retains all original blocking.
SOLD
309-13
Click on an image to enlarge.
Secretary Bookcase, A Fine Sheraton Vermont Desk
Date/Period: Circa 1825 - SOLD
Measurement: Height: 87.25"; top case: 40.75 x 10.125"; bottom case: 43.25 x 20.5”;
writing height: 36".
Material: Cherry, Maple, birch, mahogany veneer, white pine, poplar
Condition: Very good, any trivial imperfections are commensurate with age and use.
Displays beautifully. Original turned wood pulls accompany the desk. The
Sandwich Glass pulls are period and within original borings. Likely original
Surfaces.
Additional Information: A fine Vermont Sheraton maple and birch crossbanded
bookcase secretary. Rectangular molded cornice with reeded frieze fitted to the upper
case of a pair of long cupboard doors crossbanded to simulate four doors above a pair
of similar doors opening to an arrangement of pigeonholes and drawers within the lower
section. The crossbanded hinged fall front slant lid features a large central oval bird's-
eye maple patera; writing slope opens to a baize-lined writing surface that rests on the
frieze drawer fitted with dividers. Two long crossbanded and cockbeaded drawers over
two matched pair of cupboard doors flanked by three-quarter reeded, ring-turned, and
rope-twist graduated pilasters, continuing to reeded, ring-turned legs joining
crossbanded apron with pendant spherules.
SOLD
1359-6
Click on an image to enlarge.
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