A FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY DESK-AND-BOOKCASE
A FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY DESK-AND-BOOKCASE

POSSIBLY BY JOHN OR THOMAS SEYMOUR (W. 1794/6-1816), BOSTON, 1805-1815

Details
A FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY DESK-AND-BOOKCASE
Possibly by John or Thomas Seymour (w. 1794/6-1816), Boston, 1805-1815
In two parts, the upper section with rectangular top fitted with a brass gallery, above two hinged mullioned doors opening to reveal a shelved and compartmented interior; the lower section with hinged writing surface above one long drawer over bowed doors, on reeded tapering legs
53½in. high, 37¾in. wide, 20¼in. deep
Provenance
Collection of Eugene Bolles
Collection of Mrs. Russell Sage
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Israel Sack, Inc., New York, 1981
Literature
Vernon C. Stoneman, John and Thomas Seymour: Cabinetmakers in Boston, 1794-1816, Boston, Massachusetts, 1959, p. 118-119.

Lot Essay

As part of the collection of H. Eugene Bolles (1838-1910) purchased as a core of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this desk exemplifies the importance of early collectors, the acceptance of American furniture as a study source, and the exquisite workmanship of New England cabinet-makers, namely John and Thomas Seymour of Boston, Massachusetts.

H. Eugene Bolles began collecting Americana in the 1880's, and soon had a collection more than 600 objects strong. In 1909, Bolles lent twenty-five of his over 400 pieces with New England origin, to the Hudson-Fulton exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibition, which was one of the first of its kind to celebrate the decorative arts of America, was an instant success and spurred Henry Watson Kent to create the first permanent American collection.

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