Gentleman’s secretary

Nehemiah Adams

1800–1810 · Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood with white pine · The American Wing

One of only about a dozen known examples attributed to Nehemiah Adams, this piece shows great unity of design, achieved through the rhythmic use of ellipses—a favorite Neoclassical shape—in the panels of the cabinet base. The ellipses are echoed in the muntins (the strips dividing the individual panes of glass) of the glazed upper bookcase doors. The form of this gentleman's secretary-and-bookcase is derived from plate 52 of Thomas Sheraton's "The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book" (London, 1793).

Artist

Nehemiah Adams

Date

1800–1810

Medium

Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood with white pine

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, Bequest of Ethel Yocum, Bequest of Charlotte E. Hoadley, and Rogers Fund, by exchange, 1971