American Chippendale Walnut Antique Slant Front Desk, Chester County, PA c. 1807

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About the Item

AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE WALNUT SLANT FRONT DESK, PENNSYLVANIA Probably Chester County, signed illegibly four times and dated 1807 This fine example of Eastern Pennsylvania craftsmanship, almost certainly originating in Chester County, has a distinct air of ingenuity about it. A departure from the typical corinthian fluted corner columns seen on these cases, the desk employs a quartered column with three graduated divisions of double-ringing in completion of the drawer blades they flank. This effective treatment softens the facade and introduces a certain magnetic rural character to the form. The interior is exceptional, the deep writing surface edged by a scalloped molding conforming with the serpentine of the ten blocked front drawers beneath ten pigeon holes. Instead of employing a prospect door, the center of the interior is a complicated little box that is easily drawn from the center - over the pigeon holes in this box, the valance actually is a tiny hidden drawer. By removing the entire dovetailed box from the interior, a previously hidden document drawer becomes visible. On the front it is signed illegibly "J.... Sh....f...p Rat........ 1807", the same signature seen also on the two hidden document drawers that flank this drawer and the two hidden document drawers that flank these as well - to bring out the deepest document drawers, a long string is attached and can be tugged to bring these unseen pieces forward. The front of the desk is composed of a pair of lopers, the fronts of which are set on tiny dovetails and sunk into the blades, and four graduated drawers retaining their original locks and untouched structure with replaced brasses. The drawers are crafted in the typical manner for the region, the bottoms a single solid plank of poplar running parallel to the front, chamfered on the sides and front to rest in grooves in the frame and nailed along the back edge. The skip of the plane is still visible on most of the drawer bottoms. Unusual care was shown in the sides of the drawer frame, where a double bead decorates the edge of each drawer - this is atypical and further evidence of the skill and care of the craftsman in the complex construction of the desk. The top and bottom of the case are openly dovetailed, the back of the case with untouched half-lapped planks retaining their original rosehead and cut nails and a nearly black level of oxidization throughout. The feet are probably early 20th Century, each being very well executed with hand tooling marks still evident in the secondaries of each - they are robust and appropriate for the desk. For any serious collectors of furniture from Pennsylvania, this is an absolutely precious acquisition. While the replacement of the feet may be a detractor for the purist, they are so well executed and blend so well with the desk that visually there is no loss. Retaining an early and well patinated surface, the desk is not only striking but also a highly practical piece that you will certainly cherish in your collection. Materials: [primary surfaces] Walnut; [secondary surfaces] Eastern White Pine, Poplar Literature: See "Furniture and Its Makers of Chester County, Pennsylvania" by Margaret Schiffer, f. 146 for an interesting example with the the same scalloped interior molding. Measurements: 44 3/8" H x 22 1/16" D x 44 1/4" W, 32 1/8" H to writing surface Condition Report: Old refinish. Feet are replaced, though unusually well done with almost perfect color matching and great robustness of form; back right foot with loss at bottom. Brasses replaced, old holes plugged with wooden pins - plugs have fallen out of two holes. Splice repair to left lid hinge, both hinges original - lid lock is possibly original with later screws, no key. All drawer locks are original, drawers mostly untouched other than minor runner repairs and nailing of dovetails. Top drawer with repaired cracking along upper edge. Third drawer with patch in lower corner. Some cracking to base molding on left. Abrasions to surface as expected. We have 94 pictures of this desk available on our primary website, these images detailing the signatures and every aspect of the case - a link is available upon request.

Dimensions:
Height: 44.38 in (112.73 cm)Width: 44.25 in (112.4 cm)Depth: 22.07 in (56.06 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Poplar
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1800-1809
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1807
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Feet and brasses replaced - see condition notes for further details.
Seller Location:
Shippensburg, PA
Reference Number:
Seller: 411IQL13P1stDibs: LU105901478912

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