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John Goddard, cabinetmaker

Desk and Bookcase, 1761

Now On View

Description

Maker

  • John Goddard, 1723-1785, American, cabinetmaker

Title

Desk and Bookcase

Year

1761

Medium

Mahogany, red cedar, tulipwood and pine

Materials/Techniques

Materials

  • pine,
  • Red cedar,
  • tulipwood,
  • mahogany

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.

Place

Newport; Rhode Island

Type

  • Decorative Arts,
  • Furniture

Credit

Bequest of Martha B. Lisle

Object Number

67.166

Projects & Publications

Publications

American Furniture In Pendleton House

Read Online

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Making It In America

October 11, 2013 - February 9, 2014

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

April 1, 1998 - May 21, 2000

Cabinetmakers and Collectors

October 3, 1986 - March 1, 1987

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Desk and Bookcase with the accession number of 67.166. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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