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Desk and bookcase
George Bright (American, 1726–1805)
about 1770–85
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Medium/Technique
Mahogany, white pine, glass
Dimensions
252.7 x 109.2 x 61 cm (99 1/2 x 43 x 24 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Miss Charlotte Hazen
Accession Number56.1194
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsFurniture – Case furniture and boxes
This imposing, bombé (swelled base) desk-and-bookcase represents the pinnacle of the Rococo style in Boston. From its massive, claw-and-ball feet to the eagle finial at the top, the piece is embellished with costly carving that represents a level of lavish ornamentation not ordinarily seen on Boston furniture. Bright, known as "the neatest workman in town," signed his masterpiece on one of its drawers. He made it for Boston's Judge Samuel Barrett as a wedding present to Barrett's daughter Ann.
Catalogue Raisonné
Randall 64
Signed
On the bottom of the left bottom drawer of the interior is the inscription in chalk " . . . Ge [?] Bright."
InscriptionsOn top of lower case: "Thom . . . [?]"
ProvenanceSamuel Barrett (Boston, 1738-1798) to his daughter, Ann Barrett (b. 1774) at the time of her marriage in January 1792 to Dr. Isaac Green (b. 1759) in Windsor, Vermont; By descent throught the family until 1956. Bequest of Miss Charlotte Hazen, 1956 (Accession Date December 13, 1956)