Antique Chippendale Walnut Oxbow Desk With Shell Carved Lid on Ball & Claw Feet

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With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in presenting this important and rare Early American … Read more With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in presenting this important and rare Early American period writing desk. This piece is a distinguished example of a writing desk made in the Chippendale manner when the design was at the height of its popularity around the third quarter of the 18th century. The overall form and construction of the desk leads us to believe it is of Eastern Massachusetts origin, possibly from the Southeastern Massachusetts region which drew influence from the leading cabinet shops in Boston at this time. The entire case of the desk is crafted from a wonderful selection of walnut along with old growth native New England pine secondary wood. An examination of the secondary wood lumber reveals primitive hand tool markings, deeply hand chamfered panels, and natural surface oxidation which developed gradually through the past few centuries.

A masterfully carved shell is prominently fashioned into the center of the lid in captivating detail. Only the finest carvers working at the height of their abilities during this period ever achieved such an exquisite degree of artistry. The lid folds open to reveal nine fitted drawers, a document compartment, and eight pigeonhole interior spaces complete with scallop scrolled decorative valance boards. The desk retains the original brass and iron drawer locks along with brass hinges and later 19th century Chippendale bat-wing brass escutcheon plates and drawer pulls. The drawers are constructed with hand-cut dovetails and old growth pine drawer panels which are deeply chamfered. Around the base of the desk is a finely molded detail that contours around the desk following the same curvature as the oxbow case. The desk is raised on four compact ball and claw feet that are uniquely carved with exceptional craftsmanship. The desk measures 38 1/2” wide x 21” deep x 41 1/2” tall. There is 30” of clearance underneath the lid when it is open. See less