Details
Description
A beautifully preserved two-piece set consisting of a mid-20th-century L. Hitchcock writing desk and its original matching caned bench, combining …
Read more
A beautifully preserved two-piece set consisting of a mid-20th-century L. Hitchcock writing desk and its original matching caned bench, combining the company’s signature Early American character with graceful Federal Revival styling. Both pieces are included in the listed price.
The single-drawer desk has a warm maple-toned wood finish, delicate gold-toned floral and foliate stenciling, a shaped raised gallery and slender turned legs.
Particularly distinctive are its decorative porcelain drawer knobs, each depicting a patriotic American eagle grasping a flag, with brass-toned hardware.
The matching bench echoes the desk’s finish, turned construction and stenciled details and retains its woven cane seat, creating a particularly appealing complete ensemble.
Hidden inside the drawer is one of the set’s most charming period details: a reproduction newspaper classified-page lining. This type of newspaper-facsimile lining was characteristic of Hitchcock reproductions from this period, complementing the company’s Early American aesthetic and its connection to the heritage of Lambert Hitchcock furniture.
The set has unusually strong single-owner provenance. The desk and matching bench were originally sold together and have never been separated. They were used by the present owner during her childhood, later used by her daughter in the family home, and subsequently stored again in that same family home. They have never passed to another owner.
Versatile in scale and form, the desk can serve as a writing desk, dressing table or elegant console. The original matching bench makes the set both functional and visually complete.
Dimensions:
Desk: 32" W × 17 1/2" D × 33 1/2" H
Bench: 20" W × 14 3/8" D × 18 1/4" H
The dimensions entered in the listing's primary dimension fields are for the desk. The matching bench is included in the sale.
Maker: L. Hitchcock / Hitchcock Furniture
Period: Mid-20th Century
Country of Origin: United States
Style: Federal Revival / Early American / Americana / Colonial Revival
Desk: One wide drawer, raised gallery, turned legs, gold-toned stenciled decoration, porcelain knobs depicting an American eagle grasping a flag, reproduction newspaper classified-page drawer lining
Bench: Matching finish and stenciling, turned legs and stretchers, woven cane seat
Condition: Vintage condition with age-appropriate wear; see photographs and detailed condition notes.
See less
- Dimensions
- 32ʺW × 17.5ʺD × 33.5ʺH
- Styles
- Early American
- Table Shape
- Rectangle
- Table Knee Clearance
- 24.0 in
- Styled After
- Hitchcock
- Period
- Mid 20th Century
- Country of Origin
- United States
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Maple
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Brown
- Condition Notes
- Good original vintage condition with visible, age-appropriate surface wear from about 8 years of family use. The desk was used … moreGood original vintage condition with visible, age-appropriate surface wear from about 8 years of family use. The desk was used regularly by the original owner from approximately ages 6 to 13 and later briefly by her daughter. The stenciled decoration remains attractive, the majority of the wood surfaces and finish present very well, and the desk and bench are structurally sound. At first glance, the signs of wear are not particularly noticeable; the specific areas described below become more apparent upon closer inspection. Desk: There are small areas of rubbing and finish wear along portions of the front edge of the desk and along the upper edges of the raised gallery. The gallery also has a small paint mark. On the desktop is an approximately 1 1/2" × 1 1/4" area of orange-toned discoloration, apparently from an old spill, along with a nearby smaller droplet-shaped mark of a similar hue. The remainder of the desktop presents very well. Drawer interior: The historic reproduction newspaper-classified-page lining shows age and wear but is stable and clean to the touch. There is an approximately 3" area of dried glue or adhesive residue, several smaller areas of residue or discoloration from items previously stored in the drawer, and approximately three places where portions of the paper lining have lifted or peeled away. The lining has intentionally been left untouched rather than risk damage through cleaning or restoration. Matching bench: The woven cane seat shows expected wear from use and remains largely intact. There is one break in the caning that occurred during the period when the owner's daughter used the bench. The wood frame is structurally sound and shows normal age-appropriate wear. A note about the photographs: In some photographs, portions of the wood may appear unusually pale or shiny. This is reflection from the lighting rather than discoloration or damage to the finish. The top-down photographs provide a particularly accurate view of the wood surfaces and overall finish. Please review all photographs, particularly the detailed close-ups, as they are considered part of the condition description. less
Questions about the item?
Returns & Cancellations
Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Cancellation Policy - Prior to shipping or local pickup, buyers may cancel an order for up to 48 hours, unless otherwise specified.