Antique Chippendale New England Tiger Maple & Cherry Slant Lid Desk Circa 1780

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With our highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique slant lid desk. We … Read more With our highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique slant lid desk. We are absolutely delighted to be able to showcase this marvelous desk for the consideration of collectors as well as antique enthusiasts throughout the country. Anyone familiar with antique or high quality furniture should immediately recognize this desk to be one of the rarest and most superior examples currently being offered through any sales platform where antiques are found. This antique desk is a product of a master cabinetmaker working somewhere in New England during the later part of the 18th century. We would broaden the time frame that this desk may have been produced during to the years between 1770 - 1790 with all indications favoring the earlier part of that period. The desk in all likelihood was constructed in New Hampshire or Vermont somewhere within the bounds of the Connecticut River Valley where both native New England cherry wood and old growth tiger maple grew in abundance centuries ago.

This desk is comprised of some of the boldest old growth tiger maple wood which ever grew in this country. At the time this desk was built, the native maple trees had been left to grow undisturbed for centuries resulting in robust and desirable characteristics within the grain of the wood which simply do not exist in the modern era. In New England, cherry and tiger maple were often used in combination with one another as they create a wonderful contrast however it is more common for an antique example to have drawer fronts made of maple stock and the case to be made of cherry as tiger maple is far more valuable as a resource. This desk is constructed with cherry drawers and a solid tiger maple case indicating that the figured tiger maple lumber was available in abundance. The secondary woods utilized for the drawer construction and backboards are old growth native New England pine which was commonly exported to England for ship building up until the American Revolution with the notable Pine Tree Rebellion being an early historical event relating to the demand for this precious resource.
The desk is an excellent example of the emerging Chippendale design style which took hold in England and America throughout the second half of the 18th century. The slant lid front opens to reveal eight drawers and eight pigeonhole compartments which are each fitted with an individual scrolled board with a cupid's bow design. This scrollwork design is carried through the sides of the desk with additional stylization intended to emulate a regal crown. Dovetailed case construction is made apparent upon the top of the desk and carried through the construction of every drawer. The desk is fitted with the original brass hardware which includes an inset lock and brass hinges that support the writing lid. A beautiful patina has developed throughout time which elevates this desk above nearly all other examples as only time can create this desirable color and depth of character so strongly regarded amongst serious collectors. A wonderful craquelure or crazing has developed upon the desk lid and the remaining elements of the desk have oxidized brilliantly throughout the past centuries. This antique desk measures 40 1/4" wide x 18" deep x 39 1/2" tall. See less