William and Mary Desk, Slant Lid, Ball Feet Displaying Philadelphia Profile

Newport, Rhode Island

An extremely rare refined small size William and Mary desk retaining original bun feet, and brasses. The desk interior displays an outstanding stepped-out composition; exceptionally grained fall down prospect door [original functioning lock] that opens to reveal three drawers and a hidden well. The birds head and bump out-scrolled dividers are quite sophisticated and deep... working in concert they produce an interesting interior.

The fall-front writing surface is above four graduated drawers and a molded base raised on outstanding bun feet of exceptional form, color, and condition. The ball foot profile was inspired by Philadelphia/Quaker shop traditions... the turning vocabulary was exported to Newport by quaker makers.

Date: 1730-1740

Measurement: Height: 42.5"; Width: 36"; Depth: 19.5"; Writing Height: 31.5"

Material: Cherry, poplar, white pine

Condition: Excellent original condition including brass hardware and feet; restoration to rear foot blocks, left side base molding, an interior drawer and partial single loper molding.

Provenance: The desk was purportedly owned by the Gardnier family [closely engaged with Newport Quakers] of Long Island, New York; acquired by a private collector in 1998 then to AAAWT.

Literature: The interior concept featuring projecting drawers and vertical partitions at the ends is closely related to a New Bedford Quaker made desk displaying the same Rhode Island concept shown and discussed in Harbor and Home: Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts 1710-1850 by Brock Jobe, Gary Sullivan, and Jack O'Brien, catalog no. 69, pp 201, 202, 203.

$24,950

SKU: 621-186

For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.

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