Built-In Corner Desk

Important built-in desk, Massachusetts, 1710-1730. Having been built into a corner the desk tapers from front to back from 32 to 23 inches in width, the case, drawers and lid conforming to these dimensions. The desk is entirely of pine, retaining its original finish. The only conservation required would be the replacement of two missing pieces of molding and one pull (hardware is original). Only a handful of built-in eighteenth century drawered case pieces are known. These include the Shumway House wall paneling and fireplace surround at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the built-in wood highboy in Woodstock, CT. (Nutting’s plate 352), and the secretary-bookcase and chest on chest from the Elisha Strong house sold in these showrooms June 16, 1990, lots 57 and 58. This built-in desk predated the known aforementioned examples by half a century, being the earliest known example. This desk relates stylistically to a desk having descended in the Devotion family, loaned by Nathan Liverant and Son Antiques for the 1991 exhibition “The Devotion Family: The Lives and Possessions of Three Generations of Eighteenth Century Connecticut”.

As with all of our furniture, in ‘as found’ condition.
Very nice overall condition.