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Photo: Courtesy Skinner, Inc., Boston and Marlborough, Mass.
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Slant-front desk

Object number

RIF4623

Maker

Maker Unknown

Dimensions

40 1/2 × 35 3/4 × 19 in. (102.87 × 90.805 × 48.26 cm)

Date

1780–1800

Current location

Unknown

Geography

Probably made in Newport, Rhode Island
(view a map of Rhode Island)

Medium

Mahogany (primary); mahogany (linings, interior drawers, prospect compartment); yellow poplar (hidden drawers, board below interior, linings of exterior drawers, backings for drawer dividers, back boards)

Marks

None

Inscriptions

"A," "B," and "C," in graphite, in center of inside face of exterior drawer backs; "F" and "B," (front and back), in graphite, long side of three drawers in prospect compartment; "1" and "2," in graphite, on interior bottoms of valance drawers from proper right to proper left; "1," "2," "3," and "4," in graphite, on lower interior drawers, from proper right to proper left

Provenance

N. (Nino) David Scotti (1941–2008), Providence, Rhode Island; Skinner, Inc., Boston, November 8, 2009, lot 61

Associated names

N. (Nino) David Scotti
Skinner, Inc.

Construction

The case sides each consist of two boards. The lopers are half-height. The case drawer bottoms are single boards with the grain parallel to the drawer fronts. The drawer-front dovetails exhibit some variation; all large-some thin-necked, some thick-necked. The rear dovetails are more uniform, with half-pins above and below. There are short, very fine kerf marks. The drawer-side tops are slightly rounded and nearly flush with the drawer fronts. Drawer bottoms are chamfered, let into the fronts and sides, and attached with cut nails at the back. Dust boards are not full-depth. All drawer supports have been replaced. Interior drawer dovetails exhibit a half-pin at top and bottom. Fronts, sides and backs are rabbeted and the bottoms are glued in place. The dovetail joints which attach the drawer dividers to the case sides are covered by mahogany strips. The three board-back is half-lapped and bears rosehead nail holes. It is now attached with modern nails. The base molding and feet appear to be of later date. Examined by P. E. Kane and W. S. Braznell, November 7, 2009; notes compiled by T. B. Lloyd.

Bibliography

Skinner, Inc., Boston, American Furniture and Decorative Arts, sale cat. (November 8, 2009), 24, lot 61, ill.