Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Secretary and bookcase

1795–1810
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Secretary and bookcase
  • Date: 1795–1810
  • Geography: Possibly made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; Possibly made in Baltimore, Maryland, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Mahogany, satinwood, ebony with white pine, cedar
  • Dimensions: 89 1/2 x 42 x 24 1/2 in. (227.3 x 106.7 x 62.2 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of the Members of the Committee of the Bertha King Benkard Memorial Fund, 1946
  • Object Number: 46.67.89
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
Side Chair, John Philip Fondé American, Painted and gilded ash, eastern white pine and white oak with reproduction moiré, American
Side Chair
John Philip Fondé
c. 1816
Secretary and bookcase, Mahogany, mahogany and satinwood<br/>veneers with white and yellow pine,<br/>yellow poplar, cedar, American
Secretary and bookcase
American
1795–1805
Hob grate, Carron Foundry Scottish, Iron, Scottish
Hob grate
Manufacturer Carron Foundry
third quarter 18th century
Cup plate, Pressed glass, American
Cup plate
American
1825–60
Desk and bookcase, Mahogany, satinwood, holly, verre églomisé with cedar, pine, American
Desk and bookcase
American
1800–1810

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.