A FINE AND RARE INLAID MAHOGANY ARCHITECT'S DESK CIRCA 1790

the hinged top opening to a leather-lined surface with two hinged panels opening to wells, the sides fitted with drawers, the right drawer with its original pen and inkwell handled tray, the whole resting on swing-out front legs centered by a cupboard door, the sides with cupboard doors opening to folio slides on the left, pigeonholes on the right; on casters; the reverse of the central cupboard door with metal label engraved R. D. A. / 8706, the back with metal label engraved R. D. A. / 7165, also with penciled numbers 73/35 and B7619.  Losses, repairs.

Arthur S. Vernay, Inc.
Genevieve Garvan Brady (Mrs. William J. Babington Macaulay)
Sold, American Art Association Anderson Art Galleries, May 10-15, 1937, lot 2000

Overall good condition, the leather-lined surface with some old scratches, scuffs and wear, the underside of one hinged panel later, the short drawer to the left side interior with some later linings, central cupboard lacking dividers, central cupboard door with metal label inscribed R.D.A. / 8706, right side cupboard door with three butterfly patches to reverse at lines of construction, some pigeon holes with a paper label and marked with a letter for the alphabet the others lacking paper label, some age cracks to panels, overall with some old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises. Two small drawers with chalked number 76385, one with 30011 and one with 380.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This finely made and well-designed desk was probably a special commission.  Its highly organized, compact configuration of drawers, hinged top and filing pigeonholes were almost certainly designed by an architect or a cabinet-maker working with an architect.  Of superior quality, as seen in the use of fine veneers, both mahogany and tulipwood, as well as the use of mahogany for the secondary woods, it shows the work of an accomplished craftsman.  Multi-purpose use in a single piece of furniture was a feature of late 18^th century designs and these were often patented.  Thomas Sheraton in The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book, 1793, illustrates ingenious examples of pieces that combined many different features, as in 'the Lady's Cabinet Dressing-Table (pl. XLIX)...[which] contains every requisite for a lady to dress at...[including]...a washing-drawer with a slider above which may be drawn out to write at occasionally.  The ink and sand are in the right-hand drawer under the center dressing-glass. .  tambour cupboards and drawers to hold every article necessary in dressing. . . The glass swings to any position, on center pins fixed on the shelf above the candle branches. . .'