TABLE SECRETARY

Creator(s): Unknown (Workshop)

Currently in storage

About this object

This jewel chest in the shape of a drop-front secretary was produced in the city of Kholmogory, located near Archangel on the White Sea. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the town served as a center of walrus ivory carving. As the scrolling shell shapes in the openwork panels reveal, Kholmogory felt the influence of rococo fashions despite its distance from Western European capitals.

The table drop-front secretary features one long drawer in the lower part and two short drawers above it. Simulated writing section holds closed another drawer in the gamble section. Two lower drawers are locked in place by two long ivory pins that can only be removed when the writing section is open. Base is in wood covered with ivory plaques. Series of large plaques carved in openwork with various motifs such as cupids, birds, rabbits and with rococo scrolls. These have around them the other openwork panels carved with a series of linked O's. A dark red silk fabric fitted behind some of the open work panels provides a strong visual contrast. Rest of surface is covered with morse ivory plaques engraved with leaf scrolls tinted green and with panels carved with a meander or with a wavy line. Wood at back covered with blue paper.

Object name:

TABLE SECRETARY

Made from:

Walrus ivory -- wood -- silk

Made in:

Kholmogory, Russia

Date made:

mid 18th Century

Size:

38.6 x 27.6 x 12.3 cm (15 3/16 x 10 7/8 x 4 7/8 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

36.125

Class:

IVORY

Signature marks:

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973