Category

FURNITURE

Object Name

DESK, SLANT-TOP

Maker/Artist

Matthews, Robert

MESDA Craftsman ID Number

75943

Place Made

Randolph / Guilford County area

Date

c. 1810-1820

Materials

walnut __primary ||yellow pine –poplar –unidentified wood __secondary

Dimensions

[Overall Ht]44″ __[Overall Wdth]42″ __[Overall Depth]22 3/4″

Description

desk with slant fall-board supported by lopers; graduated full-width drawers straight bracket feet ; interior with central document drawer flanked by document drawers, each side with four bracketed pigeon holes over two drawers over two drawers

Object Location

private collection

Photo Number

D-31004

File Location

NCP-8-11B/NCP-53-2

History

On right document drawer: “This Desk was once the property of / John Long, while a Member of Congress, / made by a Mr. Thompson of Orange [?] / or Chatham Co. N.C. / about 1842”

Alterations-Condition

top derawer pulls appear to be original, all other replaced __ __ __feet replaced; small section to fall board replaced where hinges are set in ; pieces of wood on top and bottom of document drawers appear to be a later addition

Sign/Marks

drawer bottom inside – behind prospect door __”Cash place” ||left document drawer in stain __”R” on one side “M” on the other ||on wooden pieces forming a compartment on one of desk drawers __”April 29, 1878″ and “W.L.K(or R) i.v.[?]+” and “To be filled / in two / years” ||signed on drawers in red crayon __”Robert Matthews” and “Matthews” ||bottom of one desk drawer __”J.H.B. / Bought of Jeff Kivett / Sale Aug. 3/95″ ||See also “History” ||additional undecipherable writing

Joinery

document drawers pegged; small desk drawers dovetailed and bottoms pegged on ; all small desk drawers are original – fall board has original lock; one hinge original, one replaced – top of desk has exposed dovetails – bottom drawers have slightly rounded sides (5/8″ wide boards) back not rounded (1/2″ wide), drawer bottoms dadoed in, pegged at back – fallboard has 3 tenons and mortices holding batten, held together with 3 sets of two pegs (total of 6 on each side)

Examined

June Lucas __No __No __Fall 2008