Charming and comfortable describes this genuine American 1770's maple secretary desk with a drop front. Hand made cabinetry is evident all over this piece, tiny hand cut dovetails, faceted hand wrought nails, and hand planing and chamfering. Drawer sides are pine, bottoms are oak with repairs over shrinkage cracks. Even the tiny interior drawers are hand dovetailed. The brasses are probably 100 years old but not original, and the feet appear rebuilt about the same time.
There are shrinkage separations in the sides, also stains, especially in the the dovetailed tiger grain maple top - see photos. The back is hand sawn and original. Said to be from Connecticut, this elegant country antique furniture is still solid and very usable after more than 200 years, with wonderful warm patina. Measurements are 38" wide, 20" deep, 40" tall, and the writing surface is almost 30" above the floor. U-S1567
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