South Carolina, circa 1800, the upper case with removable cornice and diamond shape over two glazed doors with adjustable shelved interior, the tambour section with rosewood banding opening to a fitted interior with central patera inlaid prospect door lifting from a conforming base with two dovetailed drawers and tapered legs, pullout writing slide, white cedar and white pine secondary, 92-1/2 x 45 x 25 in.
Provenance: An Important Southern Institution
Note: This piece retains a partial MESDA label and is recorded in MESDA file S-8040. According to that file, it was found about 30 miles from Columbia, South Carolina and sold to the Charleston Museum in 1955. An additional, very closely-related Charleston tambour desk and bookcase has also been documented by MESDA, see research file S-27071. The MESDA documented example shares with this desk and bookcase secondary woods of white pine and red cedar, a nearly identical bookcase fenestration, the same drawer configuration on the tambour interior, and other details.
Available payment options
An Important Southern Institution
scattered restorations and repairs, tambour mechanism possibly altered or refitted and with some possible restorations (later canvas backing), prospect door with lock patch at verso (possibly rotated, later veneer banding), legs now set with later tapered risers, scattered minor repairs to drawer secondary and supports, doors with several cracked panes and losses and distress to mullions, other typical veneer losses and repairs especially at rosewood banding, minor crack at one rear leg attachment, brasses replaced
Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.