Lot 263: Signed 18th Century American Mahogany Chippendale Desk, ex-Ebenezer Hill

Signed and dated Connecticut Chippendale inlaid slant front desk, mahogany primary and poplar secondary. Consisting of a plain, unmolded top, bellflower inlaid slant front lid with cross banding opening onto 2 pull-out slides; fitted interior with central prospect section flanked by two document drawers bordered by two half dovetailed drawers above one long dovetailed drawer above 3 plain pigeonholes; four graduated dovetailed drawers with crossbanding flanked by fluted quarter columns transitioning into a base ogee molding with the case resting on short cabriole legs with claw-and-ball feet and bracket returns. Pencil signed on the underside Sylvester Tyler (Tylee) and dated 1795. 45 5/8" H x 48" W x 24" D. Note: Sylvester Tyler (Tylee) (1768 – 1834), living in Hartford, Connecticut, advertised in the AMERICAN MERCURY periodical, October 31. 1796, as a cabinet and chair maker. In 1804, he was listed on Census tax records as residing in Hartford, Ohio, and later died in Ohio in 1834. Provenance: Descended through the family of Ebenezer J. Hill (1845 – 1917) who served in the United States Congress for 22 years between 1895 – 1919. This desk originally belonged to his father Reverend Moses Hill (1804 – 1882). Archival material relating to Ebenezer Hill is included with this lot.

CONDITION: Older surface with expected general overall wear including scratching, stains, minor patching, and losses. Fall front with crazing or crackelure. Brasses have been replaced and three of the four lower drawers have patches around the escutcheon. Some drawer supports are replacements. Lower left side with abrasions, losses to base molding at center. Some vertical wood shrinkage noted to left side.