Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
Consigned American Federal Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk ca. 1790-1810
Consigned American Federal Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk ca. 1790-1810
Consigned American Federal Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk ca. 1790-1810
  • Product Description
  • Product Specifications
  • Shipping and Returns
AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY TWO-PART SECRETARY WRITING DESK
North Shore, Massachusetts; circa 1790-1810
Item # 906IUT05P
A rare and exceptional "Ladies Writing Desk", this form and use of three inlaid columns in the upper doors relates to the tambour door examples by John and Thomas Seymour held in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as well as a similar documented example in Winterthur Museum, Delaware. Another quite similar example is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, this resting over spade feet with the same swollen profile as the present example. Our desk was likely completed by a craftsman inspired by the Seymour's desks, though without the use of additional inlays and tambour front found on most of the Seymour attributed desks.
Exquisitely inlaid columns divide out the facade of the upper, these nearly pictorial with a sash that wraps around the column diagonally. The doors open to reveal six pigeon-hole letter slots with scalloped valances below four and over three drawers. Note the quality of the craftsmanship with alternating light, medium and dark hues between the drawer facades, valances and what would appear to be rosewood veneered blades and divides. This upper section is built as a solitary unit and can be removed easily from the top, allowing the desk to be safely moved without suffering damage. It is perhaps this attention to detail that has allowed it to remain in such excellent overall original condition.
In the lower section, a single smaller drawer is flanked by lopers, withdrawn to allow the writing surface to flip out and rest firmly. A second larger drawer is situated below this, both with replaced stamped brass pulls. The mahogany used in the drawer fronts is a very pleasing grain pattern with horizontal rolling waves, the rectangle framed in light-and-dark double stringer inlays and surrounded by cockbead molding.
A warm silky patina throughout allows the aged mahogany to glow through the burnished shellac and years of surface wax. It is an exceptional investment grade piece in very fine original condition throughout.

Similar Examples:

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, acc. no. B.65.12: a Federal Tambour Door Inlaid Writing Desk over spade feet
  • Christies, New York, June 17 1997, lot 417, "A Federal Inlaid Mahogany Secretary Desk, attributed to John and Thomas Seymour", with similar spade feet profile and non-similar tambour doors and formal inlays
  • Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (RISD), Rhode Island, acc. no. 71.075, "A Ladies Writing Desk attr. to John and Thomas Seymour"
  • Winterthur Museum, Delaware, acc. no. 57.802
  • Measurements: 43 3/4" H x 38 7/8" W x 20 1/4" D; 29 1/2" H to writing surface; writing surface is 38 7/8" W x 18" D when opened

Condition Report:

Replaced stamped brass pulls. Strip on lower edge of right door possibly a repaired splice; replaced green baize writing surface; minor patching/veneer and stringer replacements; spots of column veneer replaced including a patch to the bottom of the column in the center of the left door. Minor age related shrinkage cracks in the sides of the case.

Consigned American Federal Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk ca. 1790-1810

    AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY TWO-PART SECRETARY WRITING DESK
    North Shore, Massachusetts; circa 1790-1810
    Item # 906IUT05P
    A rare and exceptional "Ladies Writing Desk", this form and use of three inlaid columns in the upper doors relates to the tambour door examples by John and Thomas Seymour held in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as well as a similar documented example in Winterthur Museum, Delaware. Another quite similar example is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, this resting over spade feet with the same swollen profile as the present example. Our desk was likely completed by a craftsman inspired by the Seymour's desks, though without the use of additional inlays and tambour front found on most of the Seymour attributed desks.
    Exquisitely inlaid columns divide out the facade of the upper, these nearly pictorial with a sash that wraps around the column diagonally. The doors open to reveal six pigeon-hole letter slots with scalloped valances below four and over three drawers. Note the quality of the craftsmanship with alternating light, medium and dark hues between the drawer facades, valances and what would appear to be rosewood veneered blades and divides. This upper section is built as a solitary unit and can be removed easily from the top, allowing the desk to be safely moved without suffering damage. It is perhaps this attention to detail that has allowed it to remain in such excellent overall original condition.
    In the lower section, a single smaller drawer is flanked by lopers, withdrawn to allow the writing surface to flip out and rest firmly. A second larger drawer is situated below this, both with replaced stamped brass pulls. The mahogany used in the drawer fronts is a very pleasing grain pattern with horizontal rolling waves, the rectangle framed in light-and-dark double stringer inlays and surrounded by cockbead molding.
    A warm silky patina throughout allows the aged mahogany to glow through the burnished shellac and years of surface wax. It is an exceptional investment grade piece in very fine original condition throughout.

    Similar Examples:

    • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, acc. no. B.65.12: a Federal Tambour Door Inlaid Writing Desk over spade feet
    • Christies, New York, June 17 1997, lot 417, "A Federal Inlaid Mahogany Secretary Desk, attributed to John and Thomas Seymour", with similar spade feet profile and non-similar tambour doors and formal inlays
    • Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (RISD), Rhode Island, acc. no. 71.075, "A Ladies Writing Desk attr. to John and Thomas Seymour"
    • Winterthur Museum, Delaware, acc. no. 57.802
    • Measurements: 43 3/4" H x 38 7/8" W x 20 1/4" D; 29 1/2" H to writing surface; writing surface is 38 7/8" W x 18" D when opened

    Condition Report:

    Replaced stamped brass pulls. Strip on lower edge of right door possibly a repaired splice; replaced green baize writing surface; minor patching/veneer and stringer replacements; spots of column veneer replaced including a patch to the bottom of the column in the center of the left door. Minor age related shrinkage cracks in the sides of the case.

    Product ID
    146639252
    Size/Weight
    W 38.88" / D 20.25" / H 43.75" / 50 lb.
    Materials
    Mahogany, Rosewood, Brass
    Assembly Required
    Yes


    • Product Description
    • Product Specifications
    • Shipping and Returns
    AMERICAN FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY TWO-PART SECRETARY WRITING DESK
    North Shore, Massachusetts; circa 1790-1810
    Item # 906IUT05P
    A rare and exceptional "Ladies Writing Desk", this form and use of three inlaid columns in the upper doors relates to the tambour door examples by John and Thomas Seymour held in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as well as a similar documented example in Winterthur Museum, Delaware. Another quite similar example is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, this resting over spade feet with the same swollen profile as the present example. Our desk was likely completed by a craftsman inspired by the Seymour's desks, though without the use of additional inlays and tambour front found on most of the Seymour attributed desks.
    Exquisitely inlaid columns divide out the facade of the upper, these nearly pictorial with a sash that wraps around the column diagonally. The doors open to reveal six pigeon-hole letter slots with scalloped valances below four and over three drawers. Note the quality of the craftsmanship with alternating light, medium and dark hues between the drawer facades, valances and what would appear to be rosewood veneered blades and divides. This upper section is built as a solitary unit and can be removed easily from the top, allowing the desk to be safely moved without suffering damage. It is perhaps this attention to detail that has allowed it to remain in such excellent overall original condition.
    In the lower section, a single smaller drawer is flanked by lopers, withdrawn to allow the writing surface to flip out and rest firmly. A second larger drawer is situated below this, both with replaced stamped brass pulls. The mahogany used in the drawer fronts is a very pleasing grain pattern with horizontal rolling waves, the rectangle framed in light-and-dark double stringer inlays and surrounded by cockbead molding.
    A warm silky patina throughout allows the aged mahogany to glow through the burnished shellac and years of surface wax. It is an exceptional investment grade piece in very fine original condition throughout.

    Similar Examples:

    • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, acc. no. B.65.12: a Federal Tambour Door Inlaid Writing Desk over spade feet
    • Christies, New York, June 17 1997, lot 417, "A Federal Inlaid Mahogany Secretary Desk, attributed to John and Thomas Seymour", with similar spade feet profile and non-similar tambour doors and formal inlays
    • Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (RISD), Rhode Island, acc. no. 71.075, "A Ladies Writing Desk attr. to John and Thomas Seymour"
    • Winterthur Museum, Delaware, acc. no. 57.802
    • Measurements: 43 3/4" H x 38 7/8" W x 20 1/4" D; 29 1/2" H to writing surface; writing surface is 38 7/8" W x 18" D when opened

    Condition Report:

    Replaced stamped brass pulls. Strip on lower edge of right door possibly a repaired splice; replaced green baize writing surface; minor patching/veneer and stringer replacements; spots of column veneer replaced including a patch to the bottom of the column in the center of the left door. Minor age related shrinkage cracks in the sides of the case.

    Learn More
    At Houzz we want you to shop for Consigned American Federal Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk ca. 1790-1810 with confidence. You can read real customer reviews for this or any other product and even ask questions and get answers from us or straight from the brand. When you buy Consigned American Federal Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk ca. 1790-1810 or any product product online from us, you become part of the Houzz family and can expect exceptional customer service every step of the way. If you have questions about or any other product for sale, our customer service team is eager to help.

    Browse over 25 million home design photos on Houzz