Prickett Desk 2011

Two waste books and an account book for Nathaniel Gould were found at the Massachusetts Historical Society and offer an intrigu- ing look into the dealings of Salem’s most prolific cabinet- maker and suggests it was made for Andrew Cabot in 1780. Although it will take significant time to correlate, these documents show a loyal following that included ma ny o f Sa l em’s mo s t affluent families. Condition Notes: The bonnet of this desk, unlike the others from the group, has survived without alteration. It retains its original design element having a subtle cut-away at the rear of the bonnet to accommodate a crown molding or a beam. The brasses are original and the typical pattern used by this maker. It retains all of its original feet, knee return blocks, central dropped pendant with original applied carved scallop shell and glue blocks. The hinges on the writing surface, which are replaced, have been returned to their original position. All appropriate repairs to the surrounding areas have been restored. The central prospect door, which was missing, has been replaced with a door of typical design for this maker. A mold of the door from the desk at the Metropolitan Museum of Art insured correct detail. The candle slides, which had been removed and discarded, have been replaced and put back in their original slots. All of the letter-hole valances in the base are original. Five letter-hole valances in the upper section have been replaced. Two and a half of the three rectangular blocks below the fluted pilasters have been restored. The locks on the fallboard and the upper door are not the first. One horizontal divider in the right bank of compartments in the top section is not original. The shell on the tympanum was missing and, through extensive research and evaluation, has been recreated and put back in place. Again, a mold of the shell from 18 Nathaniel Gould’s account book showing the 1780 entry of a “desk & bookcase” for Andrew Cabot. Even after factoring out inflation due to the war, this desk-and- bookcase was the most expensive one produced by Gould. Entries for “bureau tables” (chests) show that the “swelled side” (bombé) form was the most costly.