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Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's, New York
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Tambour desk

Object number

RIF2555

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

Height: 46 in. (116.84 cm)

Date

1790–1800

Current location

Unknown

Geography

Made in Massachusetts, formerly said to have been made in Rhode Island
(view a map of Rhode Island)

Medium

Mahogany

Inscriptions

A document affixed to the interior of one frieze drawer states that this desk "belonged to Mr. R.J. Adams of Plymouth, Mass., oldest Harvard graduate, age 104."

Style

Hepplewhite, Federal

Provenance

R. J. Adams, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Mrs. Giles Whiting (née Flora Ettlinger, 1881–1971), Scarborough, New York, prior to 1972; consigned by her estate to Sotheby Parke Bernet, Inc., New York, April 14–15 and 21–22, 1972, lot 341

Associated names

R. J. Adams
Flora Ettlinger Whiting
Sotheby Parke Bernet

Bibliography

Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, Important American Furniture: Property from the Estate of the Late Mrs. Giles Whiting, New York, sale cat. (April 14–15, 21–22, 1972), 50, lot 341, ill.