Edmund Townsend
Desk and Bookcase

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Desk and Bookcase
Datec. 1765–1785
Made inNewport, Rhode Island, United States
MediumMahogany; eastern white pine; chestnut; yellow poplar, and cedar
Dimensions98 1/4 × 43 3/8 × 25 1/2 in. (249.6 × 110.2 × 64.8 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of the estate of Marian M. Britton
Object numberB.99.24
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Newport Room
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThe block-and-shell motif carved on the doors of this desk and bookcase is most closely associated with Newport, Rhode Island, though cabinetmakers used it in other colonial American locations as well. The likely maker of this desk, Edmund Townsend, was part of an extended family of Newport Quaker cabinetmakers; his father was a joiner and carpenter, two of his brothers were cabinetmakers, and two of his sisters married woodworkers from the Goddard family.
ProvenancePossibly owned by Raymond H. J. Perry (1789–1826), Newport, Rhode Island; […]; [George (1901–1988) and Benny Arons (1898–1978), Ansonia, Connecticut], by 1920s; [Ginsburg and Levy, New York, 1943]; purchased by the family of Julia Perry (née Esty); purchased by [Israel Sack, New York, 1973]; purchased by Marian M. (d. 1998) and James L. Britton, Jr. (1908–1988), Houston; Estate of Marian M. Britton; given to MFAH, 1999.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed: "3," " 4," and "5," in graphite, on backs of fronts of prospect drawers; "1," "2," "3," and "4," in chalk, in corners of fronts, sides, and backs of exterior drawers; "1" and "4," in graphite, on interior front and sides of larger interior drawers; "1" through "6," in graphite, on interior backs of valance drawers; V-shaped notches numbering one through five on top interior edges of valance drawers
[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Desk
Charles Rohlfs
1883
Oak, iron, paint, and burlap
90.252
Bureau Table
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c. 1780–1785
Mahogany; mahogany, eastern white pine, chestnut, soft maple, and yellow poplar
B.92.6
Cylinder Desk
John Cobb
c. 1770
Sycamore
96.1243
Breakfront Bookcase
c. 1825
Mahogany
96.1128
Dressing Table
c. 1780–1800
Cherrywood
B.2015.17
Corner Cabinet
Henry Lindley Fry
1870–1880
Oak and pine
2002.3547
Desk
Sam Maloof
1975
Walnut
2010.2087.A-.K
Cupboard
c. 1670–1700
Red oak and red maple; white pine and western red cedar
B.93.11
Chest
early 18th century
Walnut, gilt-metal
96.1350
Bureau Cabinet
c. 1750
Parcel gilt, mahogany
96.1588
Desk (one of a pair)
c. 1720
Hardwood
94.1148.1
Desk (one of a pair)
c. 1720
Hardwood
94.1148.2