IMPORTANT FEDERAL PERIOD VERMONT BIRD'S EYE MAPLE, CHERRY, & MAHOGANY BUTLERS DESK WITH EXCEPTIONAL CARVINGS 

 With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering one of the finest early American butler's desks available anywhere. For the last three generations our firm has pursued quality antiques produced in the early American period particularly focused on the treasured history of New England. We have watched markets rise and fall with respect to all aspects of antiques and historical design and with that insight we have made our focus regional early American furniture and decorative arts as they have proven to be the best way to stage a home while also making a secure investment that will appreciate as time goes on. American heirloom antiques are perhaps the best way to provide the next generation with valuable assets while also culturally enriching your family with beautiful and historic treasures. Antiques that have a strong regional influence in an area where homes and land remain in high demand are among the very best investments that can be made as future demand is all but assured as scarcity increases over time. 

It is with that background we introduced this absolute treasure from the storied history of the state of Vermont. The earliest craftsmen settled the state towards the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century as population centers grew and demand for their trades were in higher demand. Many brought influences from Western Massachusetts up through the Connecticut River Valley region ultimately settling Eastern Vermont and Western New Hampshire along the newly established communities adjacent to the Connecticut River. This particular butler's desk most likely originated in Western Vermont where at the turn of the 19th century talented cabinetmakers trained in New York City sought patrons for their work as competition in the city was high and demand for their skills was spreading all throughout the newly established states. We see the influence of famed cabinet shops such as The Allison Brothers and other noted masters of the trade spread into the Western Vermont communities at the dawn of the early 19th century. While the influence of New York City in elements of the case construction and overall proportions and design are unquestionable this butlers desk exhibits the unique and wonderous design appeal that emerged from this region of Vermont during this era. The absolute finest examples of the craftsmanship of this region are exhibited at The Shelburne Museum, The Hood Museum of Art, and throughout many smaller state and independent museums scattered throughout the region. It is our modest opinion that this particular example is worthy of any of these collections and in all honesty superior to some of the case furniture currently showcased at these marvelous institutions. 

The desk is constructed primarily of cherry with brilliant bird's eye maple and mahogany veneers utilized to provide a mix of vibrancy and contrast. The case is constructed with a frame and panel technique made popular towards the end of the 18th century as it allows the large wooden sides and backs to float in a framework ensuring a limitation to age and moisture related changes over time. The gallery is well formed and contoured with octagonal geometric inlaid panels to either side which help to provide such a stately presence. The case consists of an arrangement of nine drawers with the central drawer designed to function as a butlers desk drawer which drops down to reveal a full interior. When the butlers drawer is hinged downward by the original tracking brass hardware seven compartmented pigeonhole cubbies and eight smaller interior drawers are revealed each fitted with the original brass turned pulls. The desk retains the original hardware including the two tombstone shaped inset locks which allow the fall front drawer to function when the center actuating button is depressed. Three graduated drawers are cased below the smaller upper drawers and writing interior each of which functions smoothly and is well suited for every day use. The most striking attributes of this desk are the carved half columns and acanthus carved legs which really elevate the piece to an institutional quality example. The discussion and scholarship around regional Vermont furniture is still evolving with all collectors generally referring to "The Rich and Tasty" publication on Vermont furnishings published in 2015 as the definitive reference guide to this field of study. While we would love to place an attribution towards the craftsman of this desk we are at present without any known counterpart to compare this to. What is beyond reproach is that the carving work is that of a master of the tradition with tightly executed acanthus leaves adorning the capitals of each half column and three dimensional banded pineapple influenced pattern with variated carved diamond points throughout the entirety of the carved embellishment. The chest measures 51 3/4" wide x 21 1/2" deep x 56 1/4" tall.

WELCOME

We are a wholly owned family business in our third decade of continuous operation. We have a large inventory of fine antiques ranging from Early American, Federal, Chippendale, Empire, Centennial, Victorian, 20th Century custom mahogany, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern antique furniture along with decorative arts from across the globe. All the items we offer to the general public are high quality estate pieces. We do not offer goods with significant flaws or defects. We completely avoid items with issues. You can expect the items we sell to have reasonable wear and tear. Due to the large volume of goods we deal in we cannot describe items in minutia. We do our best to give you an accurate condition report in our description of the items. We have expert woodworkers and re-finishers on staff to service any piece of furniture we offer. We represent all merchandise in absolute good faith and to the very best of our ability. Please ask all questions, including, but not limited to, shipping costs prior to purchase. All items are sold as is and from their location. If you would like to find out about any number of our services, including appraisals and restoration, please ask us about our website for more information. 

SHIPPING & DELIVERIES

     We deliver within a 250 mile range of zip code 01105 for a low cost flat rate. We specialize in New York City and Boston deliveries at extremely reasonable rates. For items requiring shipping beyond our delivery zone, we offer freight or “Ground Services” shipping, depending on the size of the items. We ship anywhere within the Continental United States. Items will require packaging and palletizing for freight shipments. The buyer is responsible for the cost of materials only for this service. We perform this service without the cost of labor as an appreciation for your patronage. Freight class shipping is the fastest and most cost effective method of shipping large items. We can reach anywhere in America with a large shipment within 7-10 business days. We buy materials in bulk to save you excessive costs. The materials required for proper crating of items for their safe transit is so specialized we may need up to 7-10 business days to make sure we get absolutely what is required & do the best job possible. We go the extra mile by designing premium customized furniture crates for the ultimate protection of your purchase. We ship from our facility with a loading dock on a major trucking artery. This and our “volume shippers” discount creates a substantial lower cost for you. The least expensive method of shipping is business to business with loading docks. Next is a business without a dock and the last option is shipping to a resident. We are sending your shipments with freight carriers. They are not furniture movers who bring the items into your home. You are provided with curbside delivery of your shipments. We can get you special services in certain cases, but you are responsible for telling us you require them and for the extra cost of these services, if you instruct our shippers to provide services beyond curbside deliveries. We are responsible for any additional services and charged for these services. We absolutely maintain our right to collect the costs of these charges for services we did not authorize or were prepaid for. 

MERCHANDISE PICK UP AND STORAGE

All our customers are welcome to come to our facility to pick up their purchases free of charge. You can expect friendly help in loading your purchase in your vehicle. We ask that you come ready to transport your purchase by having ample pads or blankets to protect your item in transit. We don’t like to send nice people off with things tied to roof racks. We also do not desire to charge storage fees, but we are holding some purchases for over three years now and are under no contract to. We are not a storage facility. We are happy to hold your items for a reasonable pre-agreed upon period. Beyond or absent any specified contract a $50.00 dollar per week storage fee will apply.

ON-LINE SALES/TERMS OF USE

All Massachusetts residents are subject to the 6.25% sales tax unless you possess a valid resale number from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We do not accept returns so please, ask all questions prior to submitting an offer or purchasing. We have a zero tolerance policy for non-paying buyers. Any offer we accept is a binding sale and subject to the conditions herein. Massachusetts General Law applies to all sales. Bidding on and purchasing any item is under the acknowledgment of the buyer and is consent to the contractual agreement set forth herein. This agreement is in full force and effect on any item purchased through our Ebay store and on items purchased through us and our gallery. We strive to make your on-line buying experience as easy and pleasant as possible. We accept all major credit cards and are delighted to answer any questions that you may have or provide services you may need.