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Desk and Bookcase

Collection Type

  • Furniture

Date

1780-1800

GUSN

GUSN-50862

Description

Desk and bookcase. Mahogany, original brasses.. Bookcase section has bonnet top with scrolled pediment carved with pinwheel; molded cornice with dentils over two serpentine panel doors. Interior has a row of valanced pigeon holes and shelves below with undulating dividers; Desk section has a slant top with oxbow front; Four drawers on bracket feet; Ornate interior with 1/2 pinwheel carved prospect drawer and end drawers; Valanced pigeon holes undulating drawers; Pilaster document drawers.

Details

Descriptive Terms

desks and bookcases
mahogany (wood)
eastern white pine (wood)
Chippendale
Desk
Desk

Label

This mahogany and pine desk and bookcase was made about 1780-1800 in Newburyport, and passed down from Ebenezer Little to his great-grandchildren, who left the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury, Massachusetts to Historic New England. The Little family cut off the pediment of the case in order to accommodate the low ceilings of this house. At some point the feet were also replaced.

Inscription

Chalk on back of upper section and on interior of bookcase door: ""This.......Toppan?"" ""17--? (English pound symbol) 60""

Associated Building

Original to Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm (Newbury, Mass.),

Maker

Probably Toppan, Abner, Mr. (Maker)

Location of Origin

Newburyport, MA, USA

Dimensions

82 1/2 x 43 x 23 1/3 (HxWxD) (inches)

Credit Line

Bequest of Amelia W. Little

Accession Number

1986.460

Places

Massachusetts (United States)
Probably

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