07-19-201407-19-2014
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2740BBoston
July 19, 2014 10:00 AMCalender
366

Joseph Moore Renaissance Revival Marquetry-inlaid Walnut Office Queen Cabinet Secretary

Sell one like this
$43,050$35,000
Auction: European Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2740BLocation: BostonDate / Time: July 19, 2014 10:00AM

Description:

Joseph Moore Renaissance Revival Marquetry-inlaid Walnut Office QueenCabinet Secretary, Indianapolis, Indiana, last quarter 19th century, Moore Combination Desk Company, with many burl walnut and bird's-eye maple panels offset by marquetry-inlaid designs throughout, the pierced superstructure centering an inlaid foliate spray above a single half-domed door with an upper letter slot, the interior of the door with document slots and an upper prospect door above a central row of long drawers flanked by two rows of smaller pigeonhole drawers, the case also with various document compartments above a pullout writing surface featuring a finely inlaid eagle on an ebony ground within checkered stringing and various burl veneers, all above two rows of labeled and inlaid drawers, the reverse with a plaque "MOORE'S CABINET DESK/INDIANAPOLIS IND./PAT. JAN. 8 1878," ht. 55 3/4, wd. 32, dp. 23 in.

N.B. Joseph Moore was the general manager of Wooton Manufacturing Co. in 1876, but by 1878 he had patented his own "Cabinet Desk" and began working in direct competition with Wooton. The present cabinet displays some of the changes to the Wooton design that Moore originally patented including the single door with its own set of casters and the pullout writing surface, which allowed the user to shut the door and leave objects on the surface.

Provenance: Purportedly purchased the desk from Richard & Eileen Dubrow about 25-30 years ago. Durbow purportedly purchased the desk from the Lehmann family in Chicago, the original owner/purchaser was thought to be Ernst Johann Lehmann, the founder of "The Fair" department store.
Estimate $20,000-40,000

Very small crack to upper left top surface. Minor chipped loss around interior hinges. Minor usage wear to interior. Minor cracking along the grain on the writing surface.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Moore Combination Desk Company, Joseph Moore Renaissance Revival Marquetry, Cabinet Secretary, Indianapolis, Indiana, CABINET DESK, DESK/INDIANAPOLIS IND., Wooton Manufacturing Co., general manager