Desk

Date1790-1820

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Norfolk (probably)

MediumWhite pine and tulip poplar

DimensionsOH: 9 3/4"; OW: 28 7/8"; OD: 26 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Caroline B. Talbot Egelhoff

Object number1988-427

DescriptionAppearance: Portable rectangular desk with narrow flat top and hinged slanted lid which opens to reveal interior with partitions at rear comprising three small openings over two larger openings.

Construction: White pine sides, front, and back dovetailed together; three-board tongue-and-grooved poplar bottom face-nailed to frame; white pine top face-nailed to frame; white pine lid tenoned into white pine battens; lid held by original butt hinges to front edge of top board; lid slants down toward front.
Inscribed"C. Byrd," "Mary Ann Byrd," "Miss Mary," "Marianne [drawing of a bird]," "Mary Anne [drawing of a bird]" and other partially legible inscriptions inked inside lid in an eighteenth or early nineteenth-century hand; "Sarah Talbot" and "Mary Talbot" penciled inside lid in a mid nineteenth-century hand; "If you see remember me" penciled inside lid; a variety of initials scratched into top of lid.
Markings"T TALBOT" stenciled inside lid in late nineteenth- or early twentieth-century form.
ProvenanceNote from donor (see OF) says "It was always in T. Hall attic." "T.Hall" refers to Talbot Hall, ancestral home of donor's family on Crab Creek in Norfolk. A large amount of Norfolk furniture from Talbot Hall remains with the donor. She was the only child of Minton Wright Talbot (1868-1950) and inherited all the contents of Talbot Hall at his death. See Talbot genealogy file and file for dressing table L1989-424.

The "T.TALBOT" stencil likely stands for Thomas Talbot III (d.1932). The "Sarah Talbot" who signed the inside of the lid is likely Sarah Frances Talbot (d. 1884), the daughter of Thomas Talbot (d. 1838) and Diana Talbot Talbot [sic] (d. 1864). "Mary Talbot" is likely her sister, Mary Tabb Talbot Chapman. Both signatures appear to have been made by children. "Mary Ann Byrd" has not been identified.