Boston, Chippendale Secretary Desk. Circa 1780 – 1790

This fine Chippendale secretary desk in mahogany features an oxbow front with blocked ends on bold ball and claw feet.  The top desk drawer is split into two separate drawers, which is very unusual. The upper bookcase opens to two shelves with 8 valanced pigeon holes at the very top and three drawers across the bottom.  The desk interior features a beautifully carved fan in the center prospect   drawer and also has a secret drawer.

The secretary was owned by Israel Bartlett (1748 – 1838) of Dorchester, Massachusetts and remained in the Bartlett family until 1927.

This desk is illustrated in Wallace Nuttting’s Furniture Treasury, Plate #718.

H.  6ft.  10 in.            W. 39 in.                    D. 21 ¾ in.