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Tambour Desk
Tambour Desk
Image © Worcester Art Museum, all rights reserved.

Tambour Desk

Dateabout 1810
Mediummahogany and pine
Dimensions122.6 x 94 cm (48 1/4 x 37 in.)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Warren
Object number1957.19
Label TextDesks underwent a radical change in design during the Federal period. In 1803 Thomas Sheraton noted in his Cabinet Dictionary that slant-top desks—like the earlier Connecticut block-front example (1933.1)—“are nearly obsolete in London, at least they are amongst the fashionable people.” Americans continued to take information from British fashion and began to furnish their homes with new forms of writing desks. This example is equipped with two sliding doors, or tambours, made of many thin wooden slats glued side-by-side to a canvas backing.ProvenanceElizabeth Warren, 53 Elm St., Worcester, MA;
On View
Not on view
Newport Highchest
American
about 1770
Reference Image - Not for Reproduction
American
1810–1820
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Dressing Table
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Writing Desk
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18th century
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