AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY CYLINDER DESK
Probably Maryland, circa 1810
44 1/4" H x 22 5/8" D x 44 1/4" W
30 5/8" knee clearance with writing surface withdrawn
19 1/2" D x 42 7/8" W writing surface
Mahogany primary woods, mahogany veneers, tulip poplar secondary woods, brass hardware
An American Federal inlaid mahogany cylinder desk of compact architectural form, the cylinder lid mechanically tied to the withdrawing writing surface so that the opening of the slide simultaneously raises the roll top. The case is constructed with a flush top, without a projecting upper edge, above a cylinder front, fitted interior, a series of three lower drawers, shaped apron and delicate outward splayed French feet.
The interior is arranged with a lower row of five blind drawers that are drawn forward as the top is raised, these situated beneath two banks of pigeonholes with scalloped valances, each side fitted with four letter compartments above two small drawers. These flank a central prospect door inlaid with an oval shaded patera. The prospect door opens to reveal a small interior drawer, the underside of which carries later writing reading: “Samuel Peck / White Creek / Woods Hole / Mass. / Desk about 1812 / 1950.”
A closely related inlaid patera is illustrated in Montgomery, where it appears in the crest of a circa 1790 to 1800 cylinder fall secretary desk believed to be from Maryland.(1) This patera is also found on the labeled bow-front chest of drawers on splayed French feet by John Shaw of Annapolis, Maryland circa 1793. It is a recurrent design in his work found in the same text as catalog no. 24, 27, 40, and 53, as well as no. 55 with some more detail added in the center (and also featured on the cover of the book).(5) The dramatic swoon of the apron is an exaggeration of the bow-front chest of drawers Weismann discusses with the same unusual treatment of the top with its flush profile to the case.(2) The proportions also relate to a group of Federal butler’s desks from New York work centers including several on beautifully tapered outward splaying legs. On balance, the form and inlay program support an attribution to Maryland, possibly with reference to broader Mid Atlantic cabinetmaking traditions.
Provenance: Private collection, Maryland. Reputedly acquired from Philip Bradley Antiques. Old label to interior drawer from Americana dealer C. W. Lyon, Inc., New York.
Condition: Old refinish, with a mellow shellac surface throughout. Extensive losses to the extreme edge stringer inlays. A few veneer patches, including a larger filled patch to the proper left front foot side return, filled losses within a breakout at the proper left back foot, and the proper left front foot reattached and glued at one point. Old baize writing surface with staining and wear. Pulls and locks appear to be original. Tiny veneer loss to the edge of the withdrawing writing surface on the proper right side, together with several replaced veneer pieces. Backboards appear untouched. No key.
References:
1. Charles F. Montgomery, American Furniture: The Federal Period 1788 to 1825, New York: Viking Press, 1966, pp. 39, 236 to 237.
2. Gregory R. Weidman, Furniture in Maryland 1740-1940, Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore: Schneidereith and Sons, 1984, pp. 123, fig. 78.
3. Christie's, New York, " Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver and Prints including The Garbisch Collection from the Sky Club", 21 January 2006, lot 846: American Federal cylinder-top secretary desk (upper added), Maryland, on splayed feet; achieved $ 14,400.
4. Christie's, New York, "Important American Furniture, Silver, Prints and Folk Art", 9 October 2002, lot 252: Federal Inlaid Mahogany Roll-Top Desk, Baltimore 1790-1810; achieved $ 11,352.
5. William Voss Elder III and Lu Bartlett, John Shaw: Cabinetmaker of Annapolis (Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1983), pp. 96 to 97, fig. 27.
ref. 606WKP04A
