Images(4)

Desk

Date1795-1807

Artist/Maker Lewis Bigelow (1780 - 1807)

OriginAmerica, Massachusetts, Paxton or Vermont, Barre

MediumWhite pine

DimensionsOH: 41 1/2"; OW: 22 3/4"; OD: 16"

Credit LineGift of Anonymous Donors

Object number1971-553

DescriptionDesk on Stand in two sections: upper section a rectangular box with flat top and straight sides; drop lidded front fastened by iron hasp at top. Lid supported when down on two rectangular slides with molded fronts. Interior composed of four plain rectangular pigeon holes above two small drawers each with a central brass knob. Below lid on exterior between slides is a rectangular drawer with two brass knobs. Lower section flat, recessed, open top with applied molding on front and sides; deeply scalloped skirt on front and sides; four plain cylindrical legs, blocked at stretchers and terminating in plain cylindrical feet; legs braced by four rectangular stretchers molded on upper edge.
InscribedIn pencil on left inside drawer bottom: "Property of Lewis Keith whose / mother was formerly / Persis Bigelow-married Francis / Keith / The Bigelow Desk / made by Lewis Bigelow." In pencil on bottom of right inside drawer: "Bigelow Desk." In ink on top of front of right inside drawer "$12 $10 60." In pencil on bottom of large drawer in lower section "1926 / owner Lewis Keith Hoar / Grandson of Lewis Keith of Barre, Vt. / Bigelow Desk."
ProvenanceApparently made by Lewis Bigelow (1780-1807) of Paxton, Massachusetts, son of Ithamer and Persis (Barrett) Bigelow. Lewis died unmarried and the desk descended to his niece, Persis Bigelow, to her son Lewis, and on to his grandson Lewis Keith Hoar, who owned the piece as late as 1926.