Material: Cherry primary, poplar, and white pin secondaries
Condition: In exceptional structural condition; having wonderful old surface; finials are
replacements; added glue block to interior bonnet roof to compensate for the shortened
bonnet edge of the top side in the bonnet backboard, restoring it to the correct
placement and contour within the bonnet architecture (the shortened edge was certainly
done to accommodate a lower ceiling height. Desk interior: some valances restored,
some interior drawer bottoms replaced with period stock, sunburst carved prospect door
is replaced; 150-year-old restoration to applied scrolled molding on the proper right-side
bottom of the frame; added braces at corners of the frame with later screws.
For related examples see: Connecticut Valley Furniture; Eliphalet Chapin and His Contemporaries, 1750-1800;
Thomas P. Kugelman and Alice K. Kugelman with Robert Lionetti; Connecticut
Historical Society Museum; Hartford, Connecticut; 2005; Catalog 55; Desk-and-
bookcase-on-frame; possibly Middletown; pp. 129-131.
Connecticut Valley Furniture; Eliphalet Chapin and His Contemporaries, 1750-1800;
Thomas P. Kugelman and Alice K. Kugelman with Robert Lionetti; Connecticut
Historical Society Museum; Hartford, Connecticut; 2005; Catalog 153; Desk-and-
bookcase-on-frame; possibly; Glastonbury or Middletown; pp. 332-333.
Additional Information: A particularly attractive example of rural Connecticut origin in
wonderful old surface; the secretary in three parts… a desk on frame surmounted by a
bookcase, an ambitious and immensely successful effort by a gifted rural cabinetmaker.
The bonnet-top having cyma scrolled tympanum with bold conforming moldings; the
side plinths having finials rising above the case stiles; the cresting centered by a plinth
with flame turned finial. The powerfully raised paneled tombstone doors conceal deeply
carved scalloped domes, and a sophisticated arrangement of letter slots and book
shelving; the whole above candle slides featuring molded fronts [below the doors on
either side]. The desk of four graduated thumb molded graduated drawers below a well-
crafted slanted fall-board concealing a removeable prospect section at center,
actuated by a secret spring lock; behind the prospect is a drawer for documents, and a
concealed trap door to three original coin drawers, which are positioned behind the full
width top drawer of the desk proper; the prospect is fronted by a removeable well
carved sunburst centered drawer.
The desk is unusual in construction whereas it is supported by a separate frame
raised on graceful cabriole legs featuring an accentuated sweep and attenuated stance
on out swept pad feet. The rhythmically scroll carved molded apron provides motion…
visual excitement. The acceptance molding of the two cases displays appropriate and
successful molded contour accentuating a balanced union and is repeated at the base
of the frame. The proportions, drawer graduation, and overall vertical orientation cannot
be overstated.
$22,950.00
1310-169
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
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
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"
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
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
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
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
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