Tambour desk
John Seymour
(American (born in England), 1738–1818)
Thomas Seymour
(American (born in England), 1771–1848)
about 1800
Object PlaceBoston, Massachusetts
Medium/TechniqueMahogany
DimensionsOverall: 104.1 x 101 x 50.8 cm (41 x 39 3/4 x 20 in.)
Credit LineGift of Mrs. David R. McIlwaine in memory of Margaret Lander Pierce
Accession number45.231
On View
On viewClassificationsFurniture
Collections
This desk descended in the family of Nathaniel West, a distinguished Salem merchant. Until their 1806 divorce, West was married to Elizabeth Derby West; three rooms from their mansion, Oak Hill, are installed on this level. The desk is notable for its fine inlays, including the Neoclassical swags on the tambour shutters, and for its imported English enameled pulls, depicting young ladies.
ProvenanceOwned by Nathaniel West (1756-1857) from whom it descended through his daughter Eliza (Mrs. Edward Lander) to Louisa Lander. Upon her death, she left it to her grand-niece, Margaret Lander Pierce (daughter of her grand-nephew Vinton), who left it to her daughter, Mrs. David R. McIlwaine. Mrs. McIlwaine gave it to the MFA in memory of her mother.
