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Cylinder Desk

Period1800 - 1820

MediumMahogany, mahogany veneer on hard pine, sweet gum, and tulip poplar

Dimensions46.5 × 47.75 × 24.5 in. (118.1 × 121.3 × 62.2 cm)

ClassificationsStorage Furniture

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Stout, 1957

Object number1982.410

DescriptionThis desk form features an upper stepped gallery with one row of three drawers, each with string inlay and oval brasses above a curved desk lid ornamented with string inlay panels. When the recessed writing surface is pulled forward, the cylinder or roll-top lid slides open to reveal a prospect door flanked on either side by mahogany flame veneer pilasters, one shallow drawer and two small shallow drawers above four valanced pigeonholes, all above a single row of five shallow drawers. The writing surface is lined with green wool baize. Below the desk interior are three full-width drawers with string inlay, pairs of stamped oval brasses, and inlaid shield escutcheons. The desk rests atop two tapered and splayed French bracket feet and two straight bracket rear feet. The shaped skirt is centered by a half circle, all edged with string inlay.
Curatorial RemarksThe configuration of the inlays and veneer on the cylinder desk are typical of New Jersey or New York case furniture of the period. Unlike most other pieces, however, the three large drawers of this desk are not graduated. A similar desk without the cylinder or roll top feature was published in The Magazine Antiques in October 1958, 324. Owned at the time by Catherine Schneeweiss of New Brunswick, New Jersey, it bore the label of Oliver Parsell (1757 - 1818) on the inside surface of the prospect door. Schneeweiss was a descendant of Parsell. While there were some common features between the two desks, such as the cut corner pattern of string inlay on the large drawers, an attempt to attribute the Association's desk to that cabinetmaker went no further due to the lack of more specific shared workmanship details or information. The cylinder mechanism of the desk is presently frozen, so it cannot be opened.

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