Secretary
30 March 2018
Description

Believe this is an early American hand hewn piece of furniture. It is two pieces a top and bottom... 88" tall, 40" wide and 20" deep with drop down desk closed. Glass is original, leather on drop down desk is new... lock on desk has a date Feb 1, 187- location Stamford. We are wanting to have appraisal.

Provenance

This belonged to my mother in law and was previously owned by her parents.

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
By Nora Curl
Mar 30, 19:27 UTC
Fair Market Value
$800 - $2,500 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

This is a Victorian era, later 19th century, about 1875 - 1885, vernacular, American Empire secretary desk. Technically, 'Early American' would apply to objects made in American from the 1770s - 1830's. Your desk is Victorian and it is from 2nd Revival of Empire style in America at the end of the 19th century. Vernacular means that the desk was a bespoke piece made by a country woodworker and not through an urban atelier or manufacturer. This does appear to have been recently sanded and waxed sometime in in the 20th century as the surface appears overly smooth and 'glossy'. The Victorian furniture market is currently slumped. Pieces, even the original period pieces, do not sell for what they used to sell for a few decades ago. The market was further impacted by the Recession. The estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparables. Retail 'asking prices' can be higher and vary.

Nora curl Mar 30, 19:27 UTC

Please add images at your convenience.

Nora curl Apr 03, 14:01 UTC

Please add a more clear, in-focus image of the stamp on the lock and a view of a corner of a drawer so I can see the joinery.

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