Writing table

Date1745-1760

MediumMahogany and oak.

DimensionsOH: 28 5/8"; OW: 32"; OD: 20 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1996-74

DescriptionAppearance:
Rectangular table with overhanging top with molded edge; rectangular frame, one long drawer with thumbnail molded, lipped edge and central brass escutcheon pull; bottom edge of skirt on ends undercut with shallow arch; cabriole legs, knees carved with shell and pendant leaves, deeply molded partial knees scrolls, paneled trifid feet.

Construction:
The rails are tenoned into the cabriole legs which extend to the integral trifid feet Glue blocks on the upper inside edges of the rails are nailed and glued to the top, to the back rail and probably to the side rails although modern blocks that are glued but not nailed to the top and rails obscure that area. The joining of top is further secured with a screw into the top from a well in the center of the back rail. The underside of the top has been relieved in the front center for the lock tongue.

Carved knee blocks are glued to shaped blocks that are integral to the front rail and on the sides and back, glued to the rails and tenoned into the legs.

The drawer supports are nailed and glued to the front and back rails, notched to fit around the upper section of the legs and glued to the side rails. They are further supported by rectangular glue blocks that are glued to the underside of the drawer supports and to the front and back rails. Drawer guides are glued to the side rails and to the upper face of the drawer supports.

The drawer sides are half blind dovetailed to the front and dovetailed to the back. The two board horizontally grained bottom is nailed from the underside to the bottom edge of the sides and back and rabbeted on the front edge to fit into a dado on the bottom edge of the front. The front panel has an integral bead that is flush on the upper and lower edges and overlaps on the sides.

Exhibition(s)