AMERICAN QUEEN ANNE MAHOGANIZED BIRCHWOOD CHILD'S SLANT-FRONT DESK
New England States, circa 1760 | with mostly original hardware and an early surface
Item # 310HOT05Z 

A rare and quite compelling bureau-top writing chest or also designed as a child's writing desk, it features very early and beautifully oxidized "mahoganized" birch surface. This finish allowed the more easily accessed local wood to resemble the exotic mahogany and various recipes for the finish were utilized by craftsmen throughout the New England states to great effect.

The case features exposed dovetails along the top of the case before the slant-front lid. This lays down on lopers situated on either side to reveal a tidy interior of three miniature hand-dovetailed drawers below five pigeon-hole letter slots; it retains the original cut steel hinges with original worn hand-fabricated screws.

The facade is comprised of three graduated drawers, each being dovetailed in the same manner as the interior miniature drawers (half key on bottom, oversized dovetail(s) in upper). The backboards are affixed with iron brads along the sides while the case is raised on beautiful outward-flaring ogee feet.

It remains a beautifully preserved historical object with a stunning early surface that absolutely glows from years of gentle handling.

Measurements: 19 7/8" H x 11 1/8" D x 21 1/2" W; writing area is 13 3/4" D x 18 1/4" W x 14" H over the ground

Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, 19 January 2007, Sale N08278, lot 329, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. William T. Earls

Condition Report:
Old surface with rubbing wear throughout, notably around the brasses from polishing, around the base molding and the feet, edges and corners; discolorations, circular mark and accretion/cloudiness to the top of the desk; bail pull hardware is original, several knobs are replaced including those on the lopers and one on the interior drawer (left); no key and lock is untested; old repaired break out by left slant-front hinge; other minor repairs; base with some restorations including blocking reset.