Description:
Two part secretary made by a cabinetmaker in the circle of Alden Spooner (1784-1877). The cabinetmakers documented in this group are Jacob Carter (1796-1886) and Nathan Stone (1786-1875). It is thought that Stone and Spooner trained in the same shop, and Carter was possibly Spooner's apprentice. Other yet-to-be-identified cabinetmakers were undoubtedly part of this circle, who made furniture inspired by work made in the early nineteenth century in the Portsmouth, New Hamphire, area, which became fashionable in Franklin and eastern Worcester Counties in the first and second decades of the nineteenth century. The bottom section of this secretary features a fall-front writing surface, supported by two loopers, and lined with modern red leather with a gold tooled border with folitate motifs. The three drawers, each with original lock escutcheons and pulls and back plates cast with shell and foliate motifs. The top of the skirt is inlaid with a checkerboard line running the horizontal length of the case, and has alternating dark and light wood squares. The central skirt medallion is possibly rosewood, and is surrounded on each side with a half-vasiform shaped apron. The top section has a molded top with a central panel dovetailed to the sides of the top on each end. Two tambour doors open to reveal, on each side, a drawer with a brass pull, two pigeonholes with a shaped valence above an open central horizontal compartment, presumably for easy storage of documents or account books. At the center is a prospet door with a large tiger maple oval at center and a bone or ivory lock escutcheon and key. The base of the top section is fitted with three drawers with bird's eye maple fronts, each respectively conforming in size to the tambour and prospect doors. The side drawers have brass pulls and the central drawer is fitted with a lock and key.
Subjects:
Brass; Canvas; Leather; Linen Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2019.59.2 |
