Breakfront Desk and Bookcase, 1800-1820
Add to SetSummary
This large-scale showpiece served as a wealthy businessman's home office in early 19th-century Salem, a town made prosperous by international trade and the whaling industry. The top case held his business ledgers and books. The center drawer in the lower case drops to form a writing surface and essentially becomes a work center, complete with drawers and slots for correspondence.
This large-scale showpiece served as a wealthy businessman's home office in early 19th-century Salem, a town made prosperous by international trade and the whaling industry. The top case held his business ledgers and books. The center drawer in the lower case drops to form a writing surface and essentially becomes a work center, complete with drawers and slots for correspondence.
Artifact
Bookcase
Date Made
1800-1820
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Fully Furnished
Object ID
26.19.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Mahogany (Wood)
Satinwood (Wood)
Brass (Alloy)
Technique
Inlay (Process)
Color
Brown
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 85.5 in
Width: 67.25 in
Length: 20 in
Inscriptions
On paper label: Edmund Johnson/...