Chippendale Desk Appraisal

Chippendale Style Secretary Desk with Glazed Bookcase Top

This is a Chippendale style secretary desk, constructed from what appears to be a rich, reddish-brown mahogany wood, showcasing a finely aged patina. The piece is composed of two primary sections: a glazed bookcase top and a slant-front writing desk base with drawers. The upper section features a broken arch pediment with scrolled and pierced fretwork at its center, adding an elegant, decorative flourishcharacteristic of the Chippendale period. Below the pediment, two glazed doors enclose the bookcase, each fitted with intricate geometric muntins that divide the glass panes into a diamond and rectilinear pattern, providing visual interest and protection for items displayed within. The internal shelving is visible through the glass. The lower section of the secretary desk presents a slant-front fall board, which, when opened, would reveal a fitted interior for writing. Below the fall board are four graduated drawers with serpentine or bombe fronts, creating a graceful convex-concave curve. Each drawer is adorned with ornate brass bail pulls and backplates, likely reproductions or original period hardware. The desk is supported by ogee bracket feet, a common feature in 18th-century furniture. While the overall condition appears good given its age, some minor surface wear, scratches, or small chips consistent with antique furniture use might be present, contributing to its authentic character. The construction and style point towards a piece likely manufactured in the mid-to-late 20th century as a reproduction of an 18th-century Chippendale design, or potentially an earlier American Colonial Revival piece from the late 19th or early 20th century. The craftsmanship, particularly the detailed fretwork and serpentine drawer fronts, indicates a higher quality piece of furniture.