Cylinder Desk and Bookcase

Attributed to Duncan Phyfe American, born Scotland

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 726

The exacting craftsmanship, rarely seen roll-top mechanism, and first-quality woods indicate that this bookcase was certainly made by one of the finest furniture establishments in the United States. One particular feature—the spiral-fluted ellipsoids above the tapered legs—relates this cylinder desk and bookcase to a labeled Duncan Phyfe work table in the Winterthur Museum collection. The writing board is mechanically activated and moves forward as the roll-top, or cylinder, front is lifted.

Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American

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Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American
Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American
Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American
Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American
Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American
Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American
Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American
Cylinder Desk and Bookcase, Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, gilded gesso with yellow poplar, white pine, American

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