With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this exceptional and rare antique slant lid desk. As our clients already know we are one of the nation's best resources for high quality antique furniture from the 18th century with a strong focus on regional New England examples. For over half a century our antique shops, and now our online catalogues, have offered curated selections of various forms of antique furniture from commonly found entry level examples all the way up to museum grade offerings with valuations that exceed what someone might pay for an entire home. Our business model is quite simple: find the best antiques that we can, leave value in the pricing to attract knowledgeable collectors, and out work our competitors by providing a premium delivery or transportation service. We have done away with costly retail shops as to keep from passing operation costs on to our customers so we can compete with elite auction houses and focus capital on maintaining a large inventory versus a fancy showroom. Collectors want premium antiques at costs that beat market pricing and a service component as well since the days of driving state to state to various antique shows is now a thing of the past. With respect to our current offering it is only our unique approach to the antique industry that allows us to offer such a fine desk well below standard auction pricing for the consideration of collectors nationwide.
This desk is a marvelous example constructed in New England during the second half of the 18th century. We believe the desk is originally from Massachusetts or New Hampshire as we have owned comparable examples in the past associated with those states. The desk is unquestionably the labor of a master cabinetmaker producing furniture for an elite class of patrons as the entire piece is built to the highest standards of craftsmanship from the early American period. The case is constructed from the boldest and most illustrious tiger maple lumber available to a cabinetmaker working during this time. These old growth selections of lumber are generally found in rural Massachusetts and New Hampshire having grown undisturbed for centuries resulting in a rich depth of grain quality typically reserved for instrument making. When exposed to even a moderate amount of daylight the entire desk illuminates any space which it occupies.
The case is constructed from masterful handcut dovetail joinery that has ensured the desk remained in excellent condition. The drawers are also dovetailed and feature hand chamfered panels comprised of native New England pine. Additional dovetail work is emphasized on the scrolled bracket feet indicating the superior construction standards by which this desk was fashioned. The drawers are fitted with inset half mortise locks and Chippendale brass batwing hardware which are very close to the original pulls that were intended for the desk. The drop front lid retains the original brass lock and features brass hinges that were once moved over when the lid required a repair. The only other repair of note is a diamond inlaid patch upon the top center of the desk. We speculate that a candle was left burning on this area and was neglected resulting in some slight damage that was corrected by a talented restorer. We enjoy finding piece with blemishes such as these as they add character and provide us with a story that reproductions simply will never have. The desk features a fine interior complete with scallop scrolled pigeon holes and a valance door that opens to reveal three additional implement drawers. The interior also features scrolled partitions and unique brass hardware upon the center door. The backboards and underside of the case are all original and demonstrate centuries of undisturbed oxidation that discerning collectors insist upon inspecting to access the overall integrity of the piece. This desk measures 38 1/2" wide x 21 3/4" deep x 40 3/4" tall overall. There is 28 1/2" of clearance height beneath the lid when it is folded downward and used as a writing surface.
