Bureau table

Date1740-1780

MediumCherry, maple and yellow pine

DimensionsOH: 31"; OW: 36"; OD: 17 5/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1986-139

DescriptionAPPEARANCE: bureau table with rectangular top with molded edge overhanging case on all sides; one long drawer above two sets of three graduated drawers flanking a central recessed section with one door; all drawers have thumbnail molded edges; all drawers originally had bail pulls and escutcheons; center recess flanked by shaped brackets in upper front corners; quarter round over rectangular base molding; four front and two rear bracket feet (evidence suggests original feet may have been straight brackets.)

CONSTRUCTION: all elements cherry except as noted; top and maple outer case sides joined with sliding half dovetails; outer case sides rabbeted on rear edges to receive four horizontal yellow pine nailed back boards; bottom back board butted and nailed to case bottom (most original nails missing); 1/2" strips of yellow pine fill gaps between rear yellow pine case bottom board and case back; outer case sides dovetailed to two board yellow pine case bottom; top drawer blade glued to yellow pine dust board which extends to within 1/2" of back of case, drawer blade and dust board rest in dadoes running depth of outer case sides; inner case sides separate center recess from side drawer sections and are composed of front maple boards side glued to rear yellow pine boards; both inner case sides fit into dadoes in top dust board and drawer blade, rear side boards fit into dadoes in rear case bottom board; front side boards dovetailed to front bottom case boards beneath side drawers; drawer blades glued to yellow pine dust boards which extend to 1/2" of case back beneath each side drawer; drawer blades and dust boards rest in dadoes in outer and inner case sides; facing strips on all case sides hide dadoes; top and bottom elements of recessed, center door surround tenoned into side element which are secured to front inner case sides by triangular yellow pine glue blocks on each side (some glue blocks missing); door hung on surround with two butt hinges; one small yellow pine block nailed to inside of left side of door surround serves as door stop; one central yellow pine shelf recessed section rests on two yellow pine quarter round molding strips which are nailed to rear inner case sides; shaped blocks glued to front case side edges and top drawer blade and are backed by two yellow pine glue blocks each. Base molding assembly composed of quarter round molding lengths glued and nailed to tops of 5/8" thick strips; each molding strip nailed to 2 1/4" wide and 5/8" thick yellow pine boards which are glued and nailed to case bottom perimeter. Drawer fronts dovetailed to yellow pine drawer sides which are dovetailed to yellow pine backs; yellow pine bottoms fit into front and side rabbets and overlap backs; bottoms nailed to fronts and backs; 1' wide yellow pine strips glued to drawer bottoms along sides, are cut at a 45 degree angle in back and serve as drawer runners.
InscribedTop right drawer - "III" scratched on bottom; "3" and "4" penciled in bottom; dust board - "III" scratched in; "3" penciled on.
Center right drawer - "II" scratched in bottom; "Purchased 2/10/38 Mr. & Mrs. Jean Hofmeister 5501 Belle Vista Ave. Baltimore, Md." penciled on bottom; other illegible pencil marks; dust board - "II" scratched in; an illegible pencil mark.
Bottom right drawer - "I" scratched on bottom; "6" penciled on bottom; dust board - "I" scratched in.
Top left drawer - "IIII" scratched on bottom; illegible pencil marks on bottom; dust board - "IIII" scratched in.
Center left drawer - "IIIII" scratched on bottom; "5" penciled on bottom; dust board "IIIII" scratched in; "5" penciled in.
Bottom left drawer - "6" once and "3" twice penciled on bottom; dust board - "6" penciled in.
ProvenancePurchased by source from C.G. Sloane Auction House, Washiongton D.C.. Previously owned by Jean Hofmeister, long time harbor master of Baltimore.