07-19-201407-19-2014
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2740BBoston
July 19, 2014 10:00 AMCalender
319

Wooton Renaissance Revival Walnut and Bird's-eye Maple Superior Grade Cabinet Secretary

Sell one like this
$58,425$47,500
Auction: European Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2740BLocation: BostonDate / Time: July 19, 2014 10:00AM

Description:

Wooton Renaissance Revival Walnut and Bird's-eye Maple Superior Grade Cabinet Secretary, Indianapolis, Indiana, last quarter 19th century, the cabinet with burl panels and part-ebonized and parcel-gilt details throughout, the superstructure with a central paneled arch flanked by carved eagles and urn-form finals, above a pair of half-domed paneled doors each centering a letter slot, one slot cast: "MANUFACTURED BY THE/WOOTON DESK CO/Indianapolis, IND/PAT OCT 6, 1874," the interior of one door with open document dividers and compartments centering an inlaid prospect door, the other door interior fitted with green cardboard drawers, the case centering a rectangular hinged lid inlaid throughout with various checkered patterning, opening to reveal a baize-lined writing surface, additional document dividers, and inlaid drawers, over a column of four short drawers flanked by open compartments, all raised a conforming base with casters, ht. 81, wd. 42 1/2, dp. 29 3/4 in.

N.B. An example of this model is pictured in An Encyclopedia of Desks, by Mark Bridge, p. 100, fig. 176.

Provenace: Purportedly purchased from James Cole family of Peru, Indiana about 30 years ago. It had been in the same family for 5 generations from the time it was purchased new. There was a handwritten list detailing which Cole family members owned the desk through the years and a copy of this list is available upon request.
Estimate $20,000-40,000

Most areas of the finish show good age. Age related usage wear throughout: chips, cracks, abrasions etc. Hardware not original (lacking finials to pins and one hinge plate, hinge plates bent) minor patches along hardware. Doors not sagging off hinges, the left door needs slightly more effort but closes well. Left door: repaired loss around hinge, wear to edge of door including some chips/losses to edge sanded and refinished over (including one larger segment which is hidden when doors are shut),small repair to lower inside panel on left side, scattered horizontal cracks along panel where letter slot is mounted. Wear, abrasions and minor chipped loss to both lower supports/base elements. Right door: minor crack and loss to upper molding, repaired loss around hinge and lower panel, cardboard pigeon-holes with usage wear and one restored. Interior lacking upper brackets to central uppermost compartments. Minor cracks to veneer. Varnish dry and flaking in areas. Cracks, losses and repairs around hinges where writing surface sits. Writing surface with wear throughout. Scattered minor veneer cracks (particularly along some grains) throughout. More visible area to fall front. Fall front with veneer patch to bottom center. One metal brakcet to fall front mechanism slightly bent, making the writing surface close when the brackets are slightly pushed in. Urn finials both with repairs and overpainting, including rings (3 of 4) and arms (one of each urn). Eagles refinished. Top with large replaced or restored section, refinished. Two panels on each side of the case with vertical cracks.


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

Indianapolis, Secretary, Wooton Renaissance Revival Walnut and Bird's-eye Maple Superior Grade Cabinet, Bird's-eye Maple Superior Grade Cabinet, THE/WOOTON DESK CO, Indiana, Mark Bridge