A GOTHIC REVIVAL CARVED MAHOGANY ASSEMBLY CHAMBER DESK

Details

A GOTHIC REVIVAL CARVED MAHOGANY ASSEMBLY CHAMBER DESK
DESIGNED BY LEOPOLD EIDLITZ, MANUFACTURED BY WELLER, BROWN AND MESMER, BUFFALO, N.Y., CIRCA 1879

A rectangular molded top with inset writing surface and circular reserve overhanging an apron fitted with a long drawer on bracket feet, the front with scrolling carved leaves, the rear scroll and leaf-carved above quarter columns with Corinthian capitals, the sides with deep relief-carved foliate medallion and pierced D-shaped side openings with exposed mortise-and-tenon joints--30¾in. high, 26½in. wide, 24in. deep

Lot Essay

Originally this desk was covered in a black oil cloth lining glued to the top without inkwells or kickboards. Freestanding inkwells were placed on top of the desk and subsequently knocked over frequently; therefore, inkwells were fitted into the surface top. A related piece was sold in these Rooms, December 12, 1986 lot 255. A similar piece illustrated in American Decorative Arts, 1825-1917, (Atlanta, Georgia: High, Museum of Art, 1983, p. 94). Similar pieces are in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York State Museum. .