Secretary desk, c. 1770?
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Photo courtesy of Private...
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The piece of furniture has two parts: a shallow upper section consisting of four bookshelves closed behind a pair of glass doors, and a deep lower section composed of a writing surface and three drawers that run the full width of the piece.
The upper section is topped by a broken pediment with shallow mouldings and plain tympanum. The inner (open) edges of the tympanum are cut away in a series of curves and countercurves that mirror each other. Between those edges is a broad, low plinth with applied scrollwork. The glazing bars of the glass doors are arranged in imitation of chinese fencing or fretwork.
The lower section contains a fall-front writing surface that is concealed behind a facade finished to resemble a pair of shallow, full-width drawers. Below that writing surface are three drawers. The piece is supported on four "french" feet.
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