Secretary and bookcase

American

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 725

The combined desk and bookcase, with a fitted secretary drawer, the front of which drops down to provide a writing surface, offered an efficient means of conducting correspondence, managing household accounts, and storing a family’s books. Because they were a symbol of education and literacy, secretary bookcases were sometimes located in public rooms such as parlors or entry halls, where they could be on full display for visitors.

Secretary and bookcase, Mahogany, satinwood, ebony with white pine, cedar, American

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Secretary and bookcase, Mahogany, satinwood, ebony with white pine, cedar, American
Secretary and bookcase, Mahogany, satinwood, ebony with white pine, cedar, American
Secretary and bookcase, Mahogany, satinwood, ebony with white pine, cedar, American
Secretary and bookcase, Mahogany, satinwood, ebony with white pine, cedar, American
Secretary and bookcase, Mahogany, satinwood, ebony with white pine, cedar, American

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.