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Our Premier Autumn Auction | Session I | October 21, 2025

Tue, Oct 21, 2025 10:00AM EDT
  2025-10-21 10:00:00 2025-10-21 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Our Premier Autumn Auction | Session I | October 21, 2025 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/our-premier-autumn-auction-session-i-october-21-2025-19376
The first day of our Premier Auction features a life portrait of George Washington, a Rare Virginia Painted Chest by Johannes Spitler, Massasoit and other weathervanes, Mark Catesby 1754 volumes, works by Catlin, Peale, Gifford, others; jewelry includes 4.8 ct. Marquise Diamond Pendant, Pepsi Rolex GMT and more; 20th century makers include Wifredo Lam, Judy McKie, Picasso, Glenna Goodacre; unusual offerings include paleontology specimens and castings; also carpets, quilts, needleworks, Tiffany, Baccarat; items from the Estate of William H. Truettner, and so much more.
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Lot 70

Fine MESDA Documented Charleston South Carolina Attributed Inlaid Mahogany Tambour Desk and Bookcase

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000
Starting Bid
$2,600

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

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.

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Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.

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.