probably Savannah area, 1790-1810, very rare form, inlaid molded top hinged at center opening to fitted writing desk with ratcheted writing board, flanked by fittings for ink and pens, over highly figured inlaid walnut false drawer with teardrop escutcheon and original brass pulls and octagonal brasses, one case side fitted with single dovetailed drawer, other side with matching brass carrying handle, finely tapered inlaid legs, poplar and white pine secondary with cherry gate, 29-1/2 x 31 x 18-3/4 in., opens to 37 in. - Provenance: Descended in the family of Thomas Spalding of Savannah and was used on the Spalding Plantation. It was purchased from a direct descendant of Thomas Spalding who lived in Damier, Georgia. The only child of James Spalding, a prosperous trader in the St. Simons Island fort town of Frederica, Thomas Spalding was born in 1774. His father, the wealthiest man in Glynn County, owned 5,550 acres of land and 94 slaves in 1790. Thomas, a lawyer, was educated in New England and Savannah and served in the Georgia House in 1794, in the Georgia Senate 1803-1804, 1808-1810, 1812-1814, and in the U.S. Congress in 1806. After selling his St. Simons estate, Orange Grove, Thomas Spalding bought 4,000 acres on Sapelo Island and began growing sea island cotton as well as sugar cane which he processed at his mills on the island. He died at age 77 in 1851.; Private Georgia Collection one break and repair with plugged screws at one rear leg (that leg and the swing leg lack the inlaid cuff and skirt banding seen on the other legs, suggesting that they are replacements), some dents and stains to top, lock and lock catch replaced, some molding repairs to ratcheted writing board, minor warping at gate leg, one bottom board of drawer likely replaced, other possible repairs to drawers secondary, minor sun fading, other typical minor surface flaws