Desk and Bookcase

Artist/Maker
Karsten Petersen Shop
Place Made
Salem North Carolina United States of America
Date Made
1830-1850
Medium
cherry and poplar
Dimensions
HOA 94; WOA 44; DOA 20; DOA desk open 34″
Accession Number
2837.1
Description
Between 1824 and 1844 the average price for a desk and bookcase was $40.00. In 1857 William and Edward Petersen each purchased a desk and bookcase from their father’s estate for $10.00. This example descended in William Petersen’s family. A nearly identical example descended in Edward Petersen’s family and is privately owned.

Bookcase having a lipped cove cornice with an astragal over flat-panel doors, the desk interior having two letter compartments surrounded by drawers, case supported on turned feet. Rail mortised through stile. Shelf secured in unique way. Top mortised through on panel doors.

History
This piece came from a direct descendant of Karsten Petersen.