Philadelphia Classical Mahogany Cylinder-Front Secretary Bookcase Attributed to Anthony G. Quervelle
Monumental Philadelphia classical secretary-bookcase in three sections: a bookcase section with a flat, projecting cornice above egg-and-dart molding and a highly figured mahogany arched frieze over a pair of glazed cabinet doors with Sheraton tracery flanked by carved columns; a slightly wider and deeper middle case with a pair of blocked short drawers with original cut-glass pulls above a cylinder desk of mahogany veneer, opening to a fitted interior with an adjustable leather-lined writing surface, eight pigeonholes, four short drawers, and four false drawers faced in figured maple with ebony knobs, flanked by cabinets with coved tops over arched, columned doors; and a pedestal-end base with a central bolection-molded drawer over a kneehole opening spanned by a carved oak-leaf wreath with anthemia in the spandrels, flanked by cabinets, raised on carved animal-paw feet at front and turned feet at back. Retains its original gilt-brass key with dolphins forming a lyre; the glazed doors are lined in pleated yellow silk. Of mahogany, curly maple, tulip poplar, white pine, cedar, and ebony.
The secretary carries two attributions: Carswell Rush Berlin, in an essay published in Antiques and Fine Arts (Spring 2007), proposed Henry Fligler (or Flagler), recorded as active in Philadelphia 1816–1825; Edward Pattillo attributed it to Anthony G. Quervelle, circa 1825–1835, noting its relationship to the work of Joseph Barry.
Maker: Attributed to Anthony G. Quervelle (per Edward Pattillo) or Henry Fligler/Flagler (per Carswell Rush Berlin, published 2007)
Origin: Philadelphia
Date: circa 1825
Dimensions: 101" H x 52 5/8" W x 26" D
Condition: Excellent with minor wear. Doors retain original wavy single-pane glass; one pane broken to the left door and three panes broken to the right door. Wear around joints and hinges where the doors open. Split to the leather writing surface in two places; age-related split to the top left of the desk section.
Provenance: John Devereux (d. 1820) and Mary (Plumsted) Hutton (1781–1870); to their son John Devereux (b. 1800) and Helen C. Snyder (1799–1880); to their son Lt. Alfred Devereux, USMC (1837–c. 1905) and Constance Antelo; to their son A.J. Antelo Devereux (b. 1872) and Francis Paul Drexel Fell, or Alfred Plumsted Devereux (1883–c. 1954); Martha Jane's Antiques, Philadelphia; sold to an Alabama private collector, 1955; sold to dealer Carswell Rush Berlin, 2006; sold to Edward Pattillo, 2008.
Condition notes are provided as a courtesy. The absence of a condition statement does not imply the lot is free of defects. Please request a condition report or additional photos before bidding.
Dimensions
101 x 52.625 x 26 in
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Monumental Philadelphia classical secretary-bookcase in three sections: a bookcase section with a flat, projecting cornice above egg-and-dart molding and a highly figured mahogany arched frieze over a pair of glazed cabinet doors with Sheraton tracery flanked by carved columns; a slightly wider and deeper middle case with a pair of blocked short drawers with original cut-glass pulls above a cylinder desk of mahogany veneer, opening to a fitted interior with an adjustable leather-lined writing surface, eight pigeonholes, four short drawers, and four false drawers faced in figured maple with ebony knobs, flanked by cabinets with coved tops over arched, columned doors; and a pedestal-end base with a central bolection-molded drawer over a kneehole opening spanned by a carved oak-leaf wreath with anthemia in the spandrels, flanked by cabinets, raised on carved animal-paw feet at front and turned feet at back. Retains its original gilt-brass key with dolphins forming a lyre; the glazed doors are lined in pleated yellow silk. Of mahogany, curly maple, tulip poplar, white pine, cedar, and ebony.
The secretary carries two attributions: Carswell Rush Berlin, in an essay published in Antiques and Fine Arts (Spring 2007), proposed Henry Fligler (or Flagler), recorded as active in Philadelphia 1816–1825; Edward Pattillo attributed it to Anthony G. Quervelle, circa 1825–1835, noting its relationship to the work of Joseph Barry.
Maker: Attributed to Anthony G. Quervelle (per Edward Pattillo) or Henry Fligler/Flagler (per Carswell Rush Berlin, published 2007)
Origin: Philadelphia
Date: circa 1825
Dimensions: 101" H x 52 5/8" W x 26" D
Condition: Excellent with minor wear. Doors retain original wavy single-pane glass; one pane broken to the left door and three panes broken to the right door. Wear around joints and hinges where the doors open. Split to the leather writing surface in two places; age-related split to the top left of the desk section.
Provenance: John Devereux (d. 1820) and Mary (Plumsted) Hutton (1781–1870); to their son John Devereux (b. 1800) and Helen C. Snyder (1799–1880); to their son Lt. Alfred Devereux, USMC (1837–c. 1905) and Constance Antelo; to their son A.J. Antelo Devereux (b. 1872) and Francis Paul Drexel Fell, or Alfred Plumsted Devereux (1883–c. 1954); Martha Jane's Antiques, Philadelphia; sold to an Alabama private collector, 1955; sold to dealer Carswell Rush Berlin, 2006; sold to Edward Pattillo, 2008.
Condition notes are provided as a courtesy. The absence of a condition statement does not imply the lot is free of defects. Please request a condition report or additional photos before bidding.
Dimensions
101 x 52.625 x 26 in
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
