A Classical Style Carved and Highly Figured Tiger Maple Slant Front Desk

Likely Chisago Lake, Minnesota, Circa 1870

each of the document drawers in the desk interior is fitted with a secret drawer, one of the interior document drawers is inscribed Gustaf Strand, the underside of the lower case inscribed Chisago Lake 1870...Elias..., with further obscured inscription.
Height 88 x width 42 x depth 19 1/2 inches.

Property from the Collection of Heather Tlougan, Rochester, Minnesota

This beautiful, highly-figured tiger maple desk and bookcase is inscribed on the outer board on one of the document drawers Gustaf Strand. Immigration and census records show that Gustaf Johannson Strand (1832-1907) arrived in the United States from Sweden in 1854.

In overall fine and stable condition. Retains a fairly even patina and color, though likely an early refinish. Lots includes early photo of Gustaf Strand and a note concerning its origins, though perhaps a bit inaccurate. The interior of the desk is a bit more red and is likely more accurate to the original patina, while the exterior is slightly faded though still rich with color and figuring. Old scuffs, marks and scratches consistent with age and use. The writing slant, when opened, has a slight downward slope that is consistent with the interior writing surface. The hinges on the slant are replaced and offset from the previous hinges. One of the vertical slides to the secret compartment on one document drawer was previously cracked and reglued. There are two vertical pegs set through the bottom of the upper case, though the holes that they correspond to in the lower case have been filled.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

A Classical Style Carved and Highly Figured Tiger Maple Slant Front Desk

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