An important Chippendale mahogany desk and bookcase the carvings attributed to Nathaniel Appleton, Salem, Massachusetts, circa 1790.

This handsome slant front desk and bookcase has an applied crest with molded broken arched scrolls terminating with finely carved rosettes. These distinctive carvings are found on a number of other Salem pieces from the cabinet shop of Nathaniel Appleton (1757-1811). The floral form represents an pomegranite which has an open center with multiple stamen. The rosettes frame a central plinth set with a boldly turned vase-form finial. The face of this arch, or tympanum has ribbon grained mahogany and a crotch grained central frieze with a dentil molded edge above a veneered pediment. The bookcase rests atop a slant front desk with an oxbow front and four graduated drawers. The desk lid opens to a fitted interior of symmetrical drawers and cubbies with line inlaid edges. The desk has a molded base and rests on nicely shaped ogee bracket feet with shaped returns.