Images(8)

Slant Front Desk

Period1720 - 1740

MediumWalnut, tulip poplar, and white pine

Dimensions41 × 36.75 × 21.75 in. (104.1 × 93.3 × 55.2 cm)

ClassificationsStorage Furniture

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Axel Olsen, 1967

Object number2017.713

DescriptionA slant front desk with a fall front that is molded on all four sides. It opens to reveal an interior consisting of a center section of three drawers sitting on a molded base below eight pigeonholes with shaped valences and cutout dividers. On either side of the center section is a projecting section with one drawer and two pigeonholes above separated by a plain horizontal divider. The inner side of these projecting sections is enriched with an elaborate cutout divider. A sliding panel in the desk surface provides access to a shallow well. Two narrow lopers support the fall front when opened. The lower part of the desk features two drawers side by side over two full width drawers. The drawer fronts are not molded, but sit flush with the case framing. The desk retains its original hardware of brass bails and engraved backplates held in place with cotter pins, and engraved escutcheons. The present feet, which are dovetailed, replaced original turned ball feet.
Curatorial RemarksThis early desk most closely resembles Pennsylvania workmanship. But its history of ownership in the Taylor family of Middletown, Monmouth County, opens up the possibility of it being made in that area. If that proves to be true, the desk becomes one of the earliest known case pieces associated with that community. It should be noted, however, that its drawer construction is at variance with other furniture produced by Middletown joiners at a slightly later period. For comparison, see accession numbers 20, 1982.409, and 1995.531.NotesAssociation accession records described this piece as follows, "Walnut Queen Anne slant-front desk from the Taylor family. Circa 1730; Pennsylvania or N. J." The desk was given to the Association for display at Marlpit Hall in Middletown, Monmouth County, a Taylor family residence built in part in 1686 but greatly enlarged about 1756. It has been opened as a historic house museum since its restoration in 1936. Many items with local Taylor family histories of ownership have been donated over the years specifically to be shown in Marlpit Hall. A loose piece of paper in one of the drawers reads, "From Gerit [sic] Conover / 33 Mallard Rd / Middletown." He may well have provided the donors with the Taylor family provenance.

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