Images(2)

New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2008.

Tunstall Family Secretary Bookcase

Artist Unknown

Dateca. 1840s

MediumMahogany, yellow pine, and poplar

DimensionsOverall: 88 x 41 3/4 x 19 3/4 in. (223.5 x 106 x 50.2 cm)

ClassificationsDecorative arts

Credit LineAnonymous Gift

Object number2005.23.2

Terms

Furniture
Norfolk
Secretary
Bookcase
Norfolk, VA

On View

Not on view

DescriptionMahogany and mahogany veneer primary woods with southern yellow hard pine and poplar as secondary. This object, in the simple Grecian taste, was made in two parts to facilitate easy transport, the top portion consisting of a bookcase with simple rectangular glazed doors and two shelves within doors and a fall-front secretary drawer, the bottom section consisting of a cabinet with two rectangular wood doors with wave molding. The flat swan neck pediment at top has a cast brass spherical finial at center and rests on a broad ogre profile molding. The bracket feet at the bottom are cut into a scroll pattern that broadly suggests a Vitruvian scroll.

Label TextTunstall Family Secretary Bookcase, ca. 1840s American, Norfolk, Virginia Mahogany, yellow pine, and poplar Composed of simple geometric shapes, this bookcase is a fine example of the “Grecian” style, popular in Norfolk in the early 1800s and so named because it was inspired by classical architecture. Instead of carved details, cabinetmakers in this era relied on the natural properties of exotic, highly-figured woods like mahogany, arranging veneer panels to create symmetrical patterns of wood graining. This bookcase once belonged to Norfolk merchant and banker Alexander Tunstall, whose portrait hangs over the mantle in this room. Anonymous gift 2005.23.2