Secretary Desk, Bookcase, Attributed to Silas Rice (1770-1853)

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.

Date: 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 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.

$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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