Lot 226: East Tennessee Vine and Tassel Inlaid Secretary

East Tennessee Federal/Sheraton period transition Secretary Bookcase, walnut with poplar and yellow pine secondary, two-part construction. Top bookcase section with molded ogee cornice over a rope and tassel inlaid frieze, and vine and bud inlaid chamfered front corners flanking two double paneled doors. Interior is painted green and has three adjustable shelves. Lower desk section with cleated and hinged slant front, opening to reveal a fitted interior with a plain prospect door enclosing two short drawers and a pull-out valance drawer to the top, and on either side of the prospect door is a hidden vertical document drawer and four pigeonholes over two short drawers over one long drawer. Four graduated full-length drawers flanked by chamfered corners with inlaid vine and bud design matching that of the top section. Plain molded base and four turned feet. 92"H x 45 3/4" W x 21"D overall. (Each section 46"H). Greene County, First Quarter of the 19th century. Note: this lot also includes a copy of The Magazine Antiques – special Tennessee Edition from 1971 showing a similar secretary, plus a copy of The Art and Furniture of East Tennessee by Namuni Hale Young.

PROVENANCE: Private Nashville Collection.

CONDITION: Older refinished surface. Examination of feet and platform support indicate the feet and base molding are original. Loss to valance on one of the pigeonholes. Small patch to prospect door. Pulls are replacements. Some drawer sides built up. One backboard coming loose; tin patch to another backboard. Scattered stains to desk top, and scattered minor shrinkage and wear/abrasions throughout. Retains original key.