Description:
Federal secretary or desk similar to secretaries made throughout New England, especially in the Merrimack Valley. Early Newburyport thrived as maritine and commercial center, which continued through the revolution and into the early years of the republic. The embargo and non-intercourse acts of 1807 and 1809 and a major fire in 1811, which destroyed much of the commercial property in town, contributed to the decline of that prosperity. About the same time, the completion of the Lowell-Boston canal created new competition for shipping inland resources, a market Newburyport had previously controlled by way of the Merrimack River. Fishing and shipping continued, but Newburyport never rose to the commerical heights it had known at the end of the eighteenth century. This secretary, with its three inlaid Doric pilasters with diagonal breaks or bands of light wood bordering the doors in the upper case, was probably made in Newburyport. The upper case has a molded flat top that is hinged at the back to open to a long deep document shelf; over two blind doors outlined in shaped, light stringing, which were a less expensive option than glazed doors; and a hinged writing surface covered in green felt. The lower case has four graduated, cockbeaded drawers with silvered brasses that are unusual, scalloped apron topped with two lines of light stinging, and French feet.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Brass; Mahogany Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+0818 |
