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East Tennessee Federal desk and bookcase or secretary, figured walnut with poplar secondary wood. Bookcase section with cove molded cornice over a plain frieze and two single paneled doors, flanked by chamfered corners; 3 interior shelves with plate grooves. Diamond inlay at keyhole, molded base. Desk section with fall front, battened top and sides, opening to fitted interior with central plain prospect door, flanked by two vertical document drawers with molded edges, and two drawers over three cubbyholes on each side. Plain writing surface over four graduated drawers and a serpentine skirt, raised on tall flaring French feet. Brass pulls and plates appear original and are stamped with images of cotton bales with triple-masted ship in the background and the caduceus (medical) symbol. Possibly Knox County, Tenn., 1790-1810. Interior of top drawer has MESDA (Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts) label dated 9/12/82, ref. no. 11604. Exhibition history: “Art of Tennessee,” Frist Center for the Visual Arts, illustrated in exhibition catalog, p. 62 fig. 28. “Made In Tennessee,” Cheekwood, 1971. Literature: Illustrated in “Art and Mystery of Tennessee Furniture” by Nathan Harsh and Derita Coleman Williams, ed. Tracey Parks, p. 103, fig. 60. 94 in. H x 42 in. W x 21 1/2 in. D. Provenance: The living estate of Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin H. Caldwell, Nashville, TN, purchased in Nashville circa 1965, with oral history suggesting Knox County, TN origins.
PROVENANCE:
The collection of Marty and David Black, Rockford, TN.
CONDITION:
Mid-molding that surrounds the base of the top appears to be a 19th-century addition. Replaced lower backboard and lower right rear foot backboard. Old patch to the top of the desk where the drawer lock broke out, old patches around later hinges on the fall front. Old, possibly original hinges to the top bookcase section doors. Feet facings are broken and reattached, but appear original. Some oxidation to brasses. Both sides of the lower case have full shrinkage splits; the right side has a patch repair to split. Bottoms of drawer sides built up.
