Secretary

1800–1815

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

Mahogany; pine, poplar

Overall: 8 ft. × 49 in. × 23 in. (243.8 × 124.5 × 58.4 cm)

Bequest of Mary MacKaye Greenwood

1969.8

According to the donor, this secretary was originally owned by Dr. John Greenwood (1760-1819) of New York, and then his daughter Jane Weaver Greenwood Ross Langdon (1789-1861).

DescriptionMahogany Federal secretary; upper case has open fret work broken scroll pediment centering a brass urn-and-flame finial on a plinth inlaid with lily-of-the-valley; molded cornice with vertical inlaid stripes above section with inlaid stripes at sides and center and two inlaid stars; glazed doors with mullions arranged in geometric diamond and square pattern; upper case rests within restraining molding on lower case with desk drawer with stringed oval inlays with bail handles on oval mounts at center, and plain diamond panel at center of drawer; front of drawer opens to reveal interior with prospect drawer flanked by document drawers flanked by banks with four drawers above pigeon holes with serpentine valences; cabinet below desk drawer has two doors with stringed inlay circles opening to reveal three drawers with plain bail handles (not original); French feet.

ClassificationsFURNITURE