| Description |
Desk/Bookcase; mahogany; two separate sections fitted and attached by metal fittings back; desk of Captain Henry Delano Fitch (1799-1849), Yankee sea captain and trader on the California coast from 1826-1831; married Josefa Carillo in 1829; settled in San Diego in 1831; owned several Mexican land grants in Sonoma County (granted 1841 & 1844); died 1849; family moved to Rancho Sotoyome soon after his death.
upper section: rectangular bookcase w/hinged doors opening front; each door has nine mullions w/original glass, top row mullions have gothic (pointed) arch; straight-planed faceted mahogany columns flank sides; columns rest on plain rectangular pedestals; plain Doric capitals on columns; plain triangular pediment board at top front; pine backing and interior bookshelves (3); mahogany veneer all front portions.
lower section: hinged writing desk folds out front; 3 small compartments and pen holder on right side (hidden compartment under pen holder); 2 pull-out supports and two half-widtb drawers have curved fronts; two larger drawers with round wooden pull knobs below; all drawers mahogany veneer with keyhole locks; two straight-planed faceted columns with plain Doric capitals flank two lowest drawers; drawers and columns rest on plain base; wooden wheels w/metal fittings on bottom.
Measurements: Overall: 218cm. high, 127.5 cm. wide; 63 cm. deep. Bookcase: 140 cm. high, 124.5 cm. wide; 35.5 cm. deep Desk: 72.5 cm. high, 127.5 cm. wide, 63 cm. deep. Columns: top, 127.5 cm. long (with capitals); 24 cm. large circum.; bottom, 42 cm. long, 27.5 cm. larg. circum. Mullions: 40.5 x 13 cm. Top drawers: 53.5 x 12.5 cm.; Bottom: 19 x 108 cm.
Condition: Peg holes at top bookcase indicate that piece at one time had top cornice, resting on columns; moderate discoloration of wood; slightly warped veneer from moisture top left bookcase door; 3 x 2.5 cm. and .5 x 3 cm. piece veneer missing near upper left small drawer; 4.5 x 5 cm. and 10 x 4.5 cm. veneer repair patches right upper drawer and right bookcase drawer; 11 cm. long crack in top right mullion glass.
Wheels and key to desk are stored in envelope in Museum Storage Room/Wooden Cabinet 5/Shelf 3. |
| Object ID |
194-33 |
| Search Terms |
desk
furniture
Mahogany
wood |
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