From collection Furniture
Desk
First introduced to the American colonies about 1700, the slant-front desk developed from the early desk and desk-on-frame forms. The ball feet and keyhole escutcheons appear to be original, suggesting a date before 1730, but the shape of the pigeonholes indicate a later date. Traces of the original red paint appear on this desk and provide evidence of the common rural practice of painting or staining furniture, even those constructed of cherry.
Details
Desk
41 x 37.5 x 20.25 in.
Transitional cherry William and Mary and Queen Anne fall-front slant-top desk; tulip polar and pine secondary woods; interior with ten pigeon holes and eight drawers; two lopers with brass knobs, two side-by-side drawers above two drawers below; turned ball feet; brass escutcheons and pulls; traces of red paint; inscribed in pencil on left document drawer: "'Received Easthampton June 1, 1859 School Bill Debt $6=75 S W Mmiller, Colector."
Inscribed on left document drawer: "Received Easthampton June 1, 1859 School Bill Debt $6=75 S. Mmiller Colector"
Descended in the Talmage family of East Hampton, NY
1974.10
Preservation Long Island purchase
