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Fall-front Secretary

Creator unknown

Accession number 45.112A-C

Unique identifier MNY18121

Description Unique fall-front secretary, or escatoire, known as the Brinckerhoff secretary. The exterior is veneered with cedar inlaid with a vine-and-berry motif in beech, walnut and other woods. The cornice and feet are the only parts not ornamented with this motif.
The secretary comprises three separate parts. The lower section rests on bun feet and features two large drawers each with stamped brass escutcheon and lock with a round pull on each side of the lock. The center section contains the fall front and the separate cornice rests on its top. The fall-front desk and secretary flap are supported by brass hinges and lined with replaced baize surface. The iron braces and hinges may be original but their configuration has been altered since construction. The solid wood front conceals an interior with writing surface covered in red baize, which is not original (could have originally been leather or green baize) twelve pigeon holes, seventeen small drawers, and small cupboard with prospect door. The small drawers each feature tear-drop brasses and the central, or prospect door has a stamped brass lock escutcheon and below are two large open spaces separated at the center. The brass pulls, save the ring pull, are likely original. The small door fronts are decorated with the same vine-and-berry inlaid motif as the exterior. The drawer fronts are solid, as are the sides of the secretary but the entire fall-front door is veneered. The interior secret compartment behind the pigeon holes is unique to this piece and one of its defining characteristics. The heavily molded cornice top can be removed, revealing a concealed hinged secret compartment. While many examples of case furniture made in the eighteenth and nineteenth century include some sort of secret or hidden space, the placement of such a compartment inside of the cornice is highly unusual. This compartment could have been used to store documents, currency or other valuables. Family tradition indicates that the Brinckerhoff family silver was kept in this space. The elaborately inlaid design of meandering vines and flowers has been ascribed as influenced by Dutch motifs but the origin of this distinctive vine-and-berry ornamentation is believed to be southern Wales. During the period this piece was made, Flushing was an English-settled town with numerous Anglo furniture makers and was an early meeting ground of cultures. Stylistically, this piece also shows the influence of Chester County Pennsylvania cabinetmakers. Early eighteenth-century Flushing had an active community of Quakers. The presence of Quakers in Chester County, Pennsylvania and their fabrication of similarly inlaid furniture have been well-documented. This secretary also shows the persistence of Dutch taste after the English conquest. The inlaid foliate and scroll motif, turned bun feet, and heavy cornice are characteristic of seventeenth-century Dutch cabinetwork, although the particular vine-and-berry pattern has Welsh roots.

Dated 1710-1717

Object Type Case piece

Medium ash (wood), beech, brass (alloy), cedar, cherry, chestnut, gum wood, iron (metal), oak, tulipwood, walnut (hardwood)

Physical dimensions H: 67 x 7 x 29 1/2 x 30 1/2 in, W: 41 3/4 x 41 3/4 x 34 x 28 in, D: 22 x 22 x 17 x 20 in

File dimensions 13.7 in × 18.3 in at 300dpi
34.9 cm × 46.5 cm at 300dpi

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