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John Goddard

Desk and Bookcase
Now On View

Maker

John Goddard (American, 1723-1785), cabinetmaker

Title

Desk and Bookcase

Year

1761

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

pine, Red cedar, tulipwood, mahogany

Geography

Place Made: Newport; Place Made: Rhode Island

Dimensions

246.4 x 114.8 x 66 cm (97 x 45 3/16 x 26 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Inscription on on exterior back of middle prospect drawer: Made by John Goddard / 1761 & Repaired By / Thomas Goddard 1813 / Repaired by Langley Bennett / 1863 / Repaired scraped and varnished / By Cleveland Bros. / 1879

Inscription on exterior proper-left side of middle prospect drawer: Made by John Goddard 1761 and repaired / by Thomas Goddard his Son 1813 / Hea[l]th Officer of the Town of / Newport Appointed by the / Honr Town Council Members / Nicholas Taylor Esqr & my son T Topham [Thomas Goddard's son-in-law]

Inscription on on exterior back of top prospect drawer: Made by John Goddard / 1761 and repaired by / Thomas Goddard [hu?] 1813. / Repaired by R. Minkler 1879 / Polished } Cleveland Bros.

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Martha B. Lisle

Object Number

67.166

Type

Publications

Exhibition History

18th and 19th-Century American Galleries
Jun 19, 2015
Charles Pendleton House
Jan 02, 2015
Making It In America
Oct 11, 2013 – Feb 09, 2014

Label copy

Furniture made by the Townsend and Goddard circle of cabinetmakers exhibited the highest level of American craftsmanship, reflected the success of its owners, and, two centuries later, made headlines by setting the world auction record for American furniture.

This desk’s drawers, doors, and pigeonholes allowed the organization of correspondence, the storage of everything from writing instruments to treasured books, and the securing of valuables under lock and key. Comparing the rich mahogany, gleaming brasses, and exceptionally carved shells on the front and sides with the plain boards on the back confirms that this piece was made to be placed against a wall, and that American cabinetmakers wisely used their best materials where they would be appreciated.

Focus on Form
American Furniture from the Museum's Collection
Apr 01, 1998 – May 21, 2000
Cabinetmakers and Collectors
Colonial Furniture in Its Revival in Rhode Island
Oct 03, 1986 – Mar 01, 1987

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

John Goddard (American, 1723-1785), cabinetmaker
Desk and Bookcase, 1761
Mahogany, red cedar, tulipwood and pine
246.4 x 114.8 x 66 cm (97 x 45 3/16 x 26 inches)
Bequest of Martha B. Lisle 67.166

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