circa 1800, one of only three known, and the only example in private hands, attributed to the shop of John and Thomas Seymour, the three section desk in highly figured mahogany, the pedimented top section with hinged fall front surrounded by an inlaid plinth and urn finial, the tambours finely inlaid with bellflower chains and opening to reveal a blue green fitted interior, fitted with its original baize lined writing surface, the case sides with original brass carrying handles, the lower section with hinged lid with inlaid edge opening to the original blue baize lined writing surface, over three graduated doors each fitted with exceptionally rare original cobalt blue enameled pulls, on inlaid legs with pierced and carved knee returns, 66 x 37-1/2 x 27-1/2 in.

Exhibited: Concord Antiquarian Society; The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 1958-1984

Literature: illustrated in Vernon Stoneman, John and Thomas Seymour Cabinet Makers in Boston 1974-1816, pages 88 and 89.

Note: Only two other examples of this remarkable pedimented tambour desk form are known to survive from Federal America, and to our knowledge this is the only example still in private hands. The first is in the collections of The White House (see attached). The other example descended in the Proctor family and sold at Sotheby's in 1972 and the famous Lansdale Christie's sale, and subsequently to the collection of George and Linda Kaufman. (See Flanigan, American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection, plate 84). Examples without the pediment include a labeled Seymour example at the Winterthur Museum (frontis of Mongomery’s book on Federal Furniture at Winterthur, scan attached). The example offered here is distinguished by its dramatic and rare cobalt blue enameled drawer pulls, which are original to the desk. Extensive research including microscopic finish analysis executed by Susan Buck subsequent to the sale have clarified that the pediment is also from the Seymour shop. Copies of the examination report and the finish analysis results accompany the desk.

accompanied by an extensive condition examination report from Robert Mussey Associates, March, 1998 (attached) as well as microscopic finish analysis by Susan Buck. The knee brackets are replacements, there is warping correction to the fall board on the pediment, finial is replaced and there have been typical scattered veneer patches and repairs and other minor repairs. Mussey notes that in keeping with other works by John and Thomas Seymour, the pediment may have been added 10 to 15 years after the desk was made. He notes that “I have examined approximately eight pieces of furniture, all originally two part secretaries made in the Seymour shop, but which have third sections added on the finished mahogany uppercase tops.... Their construction and details of veneer, inlay and construction are also clearly the product of the Seymour shop.”