Images(12)

Secretary and Bookcase

Date1800-1815

Maker Unidentified

OriginAmerica, Maryland or Virginia, Winchester area

MediumMahogany, cherry, yellow pine, tulip poplar, maple, satinwood, and light and darkwood inlays

DimensionsOverall: 106 × 43 5/8 × 21 3/8in. (269.2 × 110.8 × 54.3cm) OD (open): 97.2cm (38 1/4in.)

Credit LineGift of Edward T. Lacy

Object number2020-230

DescriptionSecretary and Bookcase in three parts; lower case composed of a secretary drawer, veneered on the front with a large mahogany oval outlined with geometric banding and an oval inlaid pattera of a two handled urn with flowers in the center flanked by oval brass pulls; mitered crossbanded mahogany around the perimeter of oval; below secretary drawer are two doors inlaid with similar vertical mahogany oval outlined in geometric banding and surrounded by mitered crossbanded mahogany veneer; doors also have a lightwood string outlining each door, but proper right door lacks a vertical string on the proper left edge as does proper right bookcase door; diamond-shaped lightwood escutcheons on both doors with geometric banding along edges; base of lower case has a geometric banding with flared French feet and a serpentine skirt with a central oval inlaid pattera of a two handled urn with flowers; three yellow pine clothing trays in interior of lower case; secretary drawer fitted with (replaced) green baize on writing surface; central prospect door flanked on either side by two drawers over mahogany with lightwood edge banding and brass pulls; pigeon hole valances are lightwood (maple?) arches with shaped dividers between them; prospect door has central lightwood rectangle with dark four petal flower or cross in center and dark scallops at edges surrounded by mitered mahogany veneer with lightwood quarter fans in corners and geometric banding around perimeter; upper case composed of two door similar veneered with tall mahogany ovals to lower case with geometric banding around top; removable cornice has molded horizontal cornice with geometric banding on top edge of molding and below frieze area surmounted by a broken scroll molded pediment with dark and lightwood six-pointed stars on rosettes and a central rectangular plinth for cartouche of a lightwood (satinwood, birch, or birds eye maple) oval panel with mitered mahogany cross banding around and geometric banding around perimeter; removable cartouche begins as an urn shape base extending into a horizontal oval topped with a finial; oval contains an oval pattera of an American eagle; bookcase contains shelves.
Label TextMigration patterns and trade connections had a clear impact on furniture production in the western portions of Virginia and Maryland. This monumental secretary and bookcase illustrates the strong influence of Baltimore, the region’s partner in the grain trade, on the upper Potomac Basin and the northern Shenandoah Valley. The veneered and inlaid ovals on the doors, the geometric banding, and the use of oval pictorial inlays such as the eagles on the skirt and cartouche are all seen in Baltimore work of the same period. Indeed, the eagles and geometric banding were likely purchased from a specialist in Baltimore and shipped west to the unknown cabinetmaker.

The extreme height of the piece and local secondary woods suggest a Winchester, Virginia origin, as does the family history. Dr. Thomas H. Clagett of nearby Leesburg, Virginia, signed the secretary in 1840 as did subsequent family members. Clagett may have inherited the piece from his parents, Henry A. and Julia Hawkins Clagett, who married in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1798 before moving to Leesburg by 1810.
InscribedPencil inscriptions on bottom of small interior drawer in secretary drawer: undecipherable name, possibly "Dr. Thomas Clagett (?) 1840" and "4 / A.H. Rogers / March 9 1864 / C Wildman / July 9, 1907" and a drawing of a man with a tall hat and baggy pants.
ProvenanceDescended in a Leesburg, Virginia family. Based on inscriptions a line of descent includes: Dr. Thomas Clagett (ca. 1802-1870) and wife Christina H. Oden (1805-1841) of Leesburg: to daughter Julia Hawkins Clagett (1836-1903) and husband Alexander Hamilton Rogers (1830-1905) of Leesburg, to daughter Christina Anna Rogers (1871-1943) and husband Robert Bentley Wildman (1849-1934) of Leesburg; possibly to daughter Christina Clagett Wildman (1898-1958) of Leesburg.