Desk

1760–1780

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Mahogany, tulip poplar, pine

Overall: 23 1/2 in. × 44 in. × 43 3/4 in. (59.7 × 111.8 × 111.1 cm)

Gift of Samuel V. Hoffman

1929.119

According to family history, this is the desk on which George Washington signed the death warrant of Major John André in September, 1780 at his headquarters in the De Windt House in Tappan, New York.

DescriptionMahogany Chippendale slant-top desk; hinged slant-top opens to rest on two lopers; interior central prospect drawer flanked by four pigeonholes with serpentine arches over two banks of two drawers; case contains four graduated drawers (with no dust boards) with brass bail handles, locks, and escutcheons (probably replacement brasses); ogee-bracket feet in rear, ball-and-claw feet with foliate scrolls on knee and carved knee brackets at front.

ClassificationsFURNITURE