Secretary

John and Joseph W. Meeks American

Not on view

In the mid-nineteenth century traditional furniture forms were often updated with ornament referencing popular romantic styles. This cylinder-front secretary (or desk and bookcase) is embellished with Gothic Revival motifs such as pointed-arch windows and quatrefoils. Broad expanses of figured rosewood – which replaced mahogany as the preferred wood at the time – complete the decorative statement.

Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American

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Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American

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