Cylinder Desk and Bookcase
Artist/maker unknown, American
Geography:
Made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Date:
1795-1805Medium:
Mahogany with mahogany, satinwood, and maple veneers; light and dark wood stringing; white pine, yellow poplar, brass, glass, ivoryDimensions:
7 feet 6 inches x 5 feet 6 inches x 23 3/4 inches (228.6 x 167.6 x 60.3 cm)Curatorial Department:
American ArtObject Location:
2004-81-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Fiske Kimball Fund and the John T. Morris Fund, 2004
Made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Date:
1795-1805Medium:
Mahogany with mahogany, satinwood, and maple veneers; light and dark wood stringing; white pine, yellow poplar, brass, glass, ivoryDimensions:
7 feet 6 inches x 5 feet 6 inches x 23 3/4 inches (228.6 x 167.6 x 60.3 cm)Curatorial Department:
American ArtObject Location:
* Gallery 107, American Art, first floor
Accession Number:2004-81-1Credit Line:
Purchased with the Fiske Kimball Fund and the John T. Morris Fund, 2004
Explore the Collections
The design of this commodious desk and bookcase is based directly on plate 39 of Thomas Sheraton's The Cabinet Dictionary (London, 1803), where he says, "I took the idea of it from one I have seen executed." It is made in separate parts: pediment, bookcase, desk, and cabinet. The turned ball-and-spade-shaped feet, taken literally from Sheraton's design, are highly unusual on American case pieces and represent the art of specialist turners working in Philadelphia in the early years of the republic.
* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit.
