Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's, New York
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Slant-front desk |
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Object numberRIF6089 |
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MakerMaker, attributed to Christopher Townsend, 17011787 |
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Dimensions41 1/4 × 35 7/8 × 19 3/4 in. (104.78 × 91.12 × 50.17 cm) |
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Dateca. 1750 |
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Current locationCaxambas Foundation |
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GeographyMade in Newport, Rhode Island(view a map of Rhode Island) |
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MediumCedar (primary); cedar (linings of interior drawers); yellow poplar (upper back board, board under desk interior and back of top exterior drawer ); chestnut (lower back boards, bottom board, backing of drawer dividers, drawer supports, drawer linings of exterior drawers except back of top drawer, some blocks on feet); pine (blocks on feet) |
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MarksNone |
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Inscriptions"M," in graphite, on top of board under interior drawers, on underside of prospect drawer, and underside of bottom board; "A,"in chalk, and "B," in graphite, on exterior backs of two proper right interior drawers; "C," in graphite, on exterior back of prospect drawer; and "D," in graphite, and illegible chalk [possibly "E"], on exterior backs of two proper left interior drawers; "A," in graphite, on interior drawer marked "A" front corner of proper left side; "2," in graphite, on underside of drawer front of interior drawer marked "B"; "A" through "C," in graphite, on exterior backs of top three exterior drawers; "D," in graphite on underside of bottom exterior drawer; "SOLD BY / JOHN C. R. TOMPKINS / ANTIQUES / MILLBROOK, N. Y.", printed in black, and "18th century Rhode Island / Chippendale slant top desk / with block and shell interior. / Newport circa 176070," typewritten, on paper label glued on interior bottom of interior drawer to proper left of prospect door |
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ProvenanceJohn C. R. Tompkins, Millbrook, New York; sold to George Safford Parker II (19292004), Janesville, Wisconsin, and later Marco, Florida; Caxambas Foundation, Milwaukee; consigned to Sotheby's, New York, January 19, 2017, lot 2087 |
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Associated namesJohn C. R. Tompkins AntiquesGeorge Safford Parker II Sotheby's |
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BibliographyErik K. Gronning and Amy Coes, "The Early Work of John Townsend in the Christopher Townsend Shop Tradition," American Furniture (2013): 2122, fig. 47.Patricia E. Kane et al., Art and Industry in Early America: Rhode Island Furniture, 16501830, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2016), 64n99. Sotheby's, New York, The Highly Important Americana Collection of George S. Parker II from the Caxambas Foundation, sale cat. (January 19, 2017), lot 2087. |