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U. S. House of Representatives Desk

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American Renaissance Revival Oak U. S. House of Representatives Desk, attributed to the Doe Hazelton Company, Boston, and crafted for the 1857 House of Representatives remodeling project and retaining its circular brass plate inscribed "No. 49 W", with a slant lid with inset leather top, fronting a lift-top quill and inkwell compartment, with a gallery centered by a carved shield adorned with a field of three stars over vertical stripes, on a trestle base with scroll brackets and scroll legs, the supports with a cartouche with a carved star framed by beading, joined by a central shelf, the backboard elaborately ornamented with a pair of similar star-carved cartouches flanking a lattice and rondel-carved panel, h. 36-1/2", w. 29-5/8", d. 20-1/2". The present desk is one of 262 desks designed by Capitol architect Thomas Ustick Walter for the 1857 renovation of the House Chamber. They remained in service until an 1873 remodeling, when the desks were either given to Representatives or sold.

In good, original condition. The finish exhibits wear around the perimeter edges, is thin at spots, and is a bit dry and tired. It appears to be old and/or original. The piece exhibits wear including rubbing, shrinkage, abrasions, scattered small chips and flakes, and other indications of age and use. The two inkwells beneath the lift-top are missing. The interior pen tray is still present. There is a chip/loss at one lower corner of the slant lid, at the junction of two boards. The loss is triangular in shape, and approximately 1" by 1/2" at its largest point. There are a couple shallow veneer chips along the top edge of the slant lid. The inset leather panel on the top is stained and worn. One simple interior divider in the storage compartment beneath the slant lid is missing. One applied bead is missing from the circle of beading around one star. One scroll tip on the back side is replaced.

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