Desk

Date1760-1780

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Surry County (probably)

MediumBlack walnut, yellow pine, and oak.

DimensionsOH: 44 5/8"; OW(at fet): 50 1/2"; OD(at feet) : 25 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1985-244

DescriptionAppearance: Exterior: fall front desk with five exterior drawers, one large over two small over two large, with thumbnail molded edges; slanted, fall front with mitered battens and thumb-nail molded edges; bead, cove, and bead compound molded base molding over ogee bracket feet. Interior: eight 'pigeon holes" with serpentine cornices, four on each side of two vertical document drawers which flank a single prospect door which conceals two drawers, one above and one below, two additional "pigeon holes"; below each set of four "pigeon holes" are two small drawers; below this entire assembly are four horizontal drawers, two large on the inside, two smaller on the outside, which span the interior; below this is a serpentine, cove molded plinth which rest on the interior writing surface; all interior drawers have a single, small, brass, ring pull mounted in the center of the drawer front.

Construction: All parts are of walnut except as noted: Case construction: top and sides hidden dovetailed together; sides consist of two, edge glued boards; yellow pine bottom joined to sides with full dovetails.ProvenanceInformation conveyed to RLH in a meeting on 10/19/1989, by R. Huber. -- Randy Huber of Lower Pottsgrove, PA (dealer) bought this desk at a garage sale in Oldhams,Westmoreland County, Virginia. He said it was from "Wakefield" on the James River, a former Harrison family home. It was in "rough" condition: feet partially off, drawer moldings torn up. He sold it in same condition to someone in Pennsylvania . When CWF bought it from DeCaro, repairs already made. {Huber described desk interior without seeing it.} March 2, 1998: Letter to Ron Hurst form Randall B. Huber states that he recently found a"calling card of Mrs. Francis Warren Pershing, which was formerly thumb tacked into a drawer of this desk CWF 1985- 244, the Harrison family desk. Mr. Pershing, son of Gen. John Joseph Pershing, was the grandson of Wyoming territorial Governor Franics Warren, who was once appointed by President Harrison. Gov. Warren was to have been given the desk by the President."