Category

FURNITURE

Object Name

DESK, SLANT-TOP

Maker/Artist

Matthews, Robert

MESDA Craftsman ID Number

75943

Place Made

Guilford County, North Carolina-attributed

Date

1807

Materials

walnut __primary ||poplar __secondary

Dimensions

[Overall Ht]42″ __[Overall Wdth]36 7/8″ __[Overall Depth]21″. 33 5/8″ with fallboard open.

Description

Fallboard supported by top three drawers; interior has prospect door with recssed panel with scalloped edge flanked by document drawers and two valanced pigeonholes over two tiers of two drawers with serpentine fronts; below desk are four tiers of graduated drawers; the top drawer narrower to accommodate a candle drawer on each side. Serrated calloped pin wheel decoration applied to the front of the candle drawers. Quarter columns with fluting. Base with moldings, the whole resting on ogee bracket feet.

Object Location

private collection

Photo Number

NN-1205

File Location

NCP-8-11/NCP-53-1

History

The “george clap” referred to in the inscription was George Clapp (1739-1806), a native of Pennsylvania who migrated to Guilford County, North Carolina during the 1760’s. Clapp died just thee months before this desk was completed, leaving his widow, Anna Elizabeth Albright (1746-1825) as the original owner of the desk.

Alterations-Condition

__ __extensive-see correspondence __hinges

Sign/Marks

underside of board beneath interior section, in red crayon __”Robert Matthews his hand work / Cabonnet Maker his hand work for gorge claps widow Martch 12 1807 1807 / Martch 12″ George Clapp (1739-1806), possibly a native of Pennsylvania who migrated to Guilford County, North Carolina during the 1760’s. ||inside bottom drawer behind prospect door, in red crayon __”RM” and “M” ||left candle drawer, red crayon __”left hand side” ||right hand candle drawer, red crayon __”right hand side” ||back rails of left candle drawer, black pencil __”L” ||back rails of right candle drawer, black pencil __”R”

Joinery

See photo file for information on construction

Hardware

bail and rosette pulls may be original, brass knobs on candle drawers; knobs on interior drawers __prospect door, fall front upper central and lower three doors keyed

Examined

Not Examined by MESDA