Premier Auction
Sat, Oct 23, 2021 09:00AM EDT
Lot 721
A Rare John Shearer Signed and Dated Desk
Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
signed and dated 1798, probably made in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), in a fine state of preservation, retaining its original surface and mellow old patina, with fitted desk interior centering a tambour door with distinctive theater curtain design, flanked by stop-fluted pilasters (one a document drawer), probably original baize writing surface, bolding formed original ogee bracket feet, dovetailed construction with poplar, yellow pine, and walnut secondary, 45-1/2 x 42 x 23-3/8 in.
Provenance: Collection of Linda Quynn Ross, Virginia
Note: Illustrated in Elizabeth Davison, The Furniture of John Shearer 1790-1820, catalog number 11. Davison notes that this desk is one of the two earliest dated Shearer objects. It is signed in at least 5 places: the interior back of each interior small drawer "Shearer", the floor of the prospect section "John Shearer", and under the bottom "___? John Shearer 1798".
Condition
excellent condition with original mellow surface, brasses replaced (plugged center holes expertly disguised), probably original baize writing surface with stains and wear, one document drawer facing patched (very well disguised), original feet with minor cracks at some facings, other typical surface wear and flaws
