Chippendale Mahogany Block-front Bureau Table

Description:

Chippendale Mahogany Block-front Bureau Table, Boston, c. 1760-80, the molded top above a conforming cockbeaded case of long drawer with a carved valance drawer and hinged tombstone door, opening a removable box shelved interior, with three flanking graduated drawers on conformingly shaped bracket feet centering a drop pendant, brasses appear to be original, refinished, (restoration and repairs),ht. 28 1/2, case wd. 31, case dp. 21 in.

Provenance: Family history relates that this bureau table was first owned by The Reverend William Cooper, of Boston. William was the minister at the Battle Street Church in Boston from 1716 until his death in 1743, and became president of Harvard College in 1737. William's son, The Reverend Samuel Cooper, was also the minister at the Battle Street Church from 1747 until 1783, and he was named president of Harvard College in 1774. So contrary to family history, given the bureau table's c. 1770 origin, it is therefore more likely that Samuel was its first owner.

Parishioners of the Battle Street Church during the Coopers' ministry included such revolutionaries as John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Joseph Warren, John and Abigail Adams, and others. The Cooper family papers, including letters to and from Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock, reside in the collection of the Huntington Library in Pasadena, California.

The bureau table has descended in the family to its current owner.

Estimate $10,000-15,000

right and left sides of the edge of the top molding replaced or patched, valance drawer back rebuilt, extensive repairs and patching to the bracket feet, drawer bottoms cedar, sides and backs chestnut

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