A Federal Mahogany and Satinwood-Inlaid Marquetry Fall Front Secretary Desk

Attributed to John Seymour and Sons, North Shore, Massachusetts, Circa 1800

the underside of the lower case inscribed Bottom in old script, the drawer pulls are replaced, but appear to be of the period.
Height 78 x width 41 1/2 x depth 21 1/2 inches.

Provenance:

Brass Eagle Antiques, Evanston, Illinois

In overall fine and stable condition. Smooth drawer action. Appears to retain the original glass panels. The underside of the lower case inscribed Bottom in old script. Old scuffs, marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Showing old rosehead nails to the backboards. The finials, while showing age, may be replaced. One finial is a later replacement and one is cracked and pinned at the socle with areas of loss due to the break. Retains a key. Hardware, while seemingly of the period, is replaced. Few areas of loss to the cockbeading around the drawers. Age cracks visible in areas, in particular to the fall front. The proper rear right finial is replaced. Few areas of veneer loss. Central dividing panel inside the writing section is detached and missing, with exposed nails coming from the above panel. The proper front left foot facing was previously cracked and reglued. There is a four inch loss to the molded decoration on the proper right side of the top case, where it meets the back edge. There is an old repaired crack to the proper left side of the pediment, where it meets the finial plinth.

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Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

Leah Vogelpohl

AVP, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts

[email protected]513.666.4960

Ms. Vogelpohl joined the firm in 2013 as a cataloger in the American and European Furniture and Decorative Arts department. She became a department specialist in 2017, focusing on American decorative arts and silver. She received a BA from the College of Charleston and an MLITT in Art History from the University of Glasgow.

American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

A Federal Mahogany and Satinwood-Inlaid Marquetry Fall Front Secretary Desk

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