American Chippendale Cherry Secretary Bookcase

second quarter 18th century, probably Connecticut or Massachusetts, in two parts, the upper section with a molded cornice over a pair of blind doors, on a slant-lid base, with a graduated bank of four drawers, raised on ogee bracket feet, the lid opening to reveal an interior fitted with niches and drawers, including a concealed document drawer, retaining old brass bail pulls in their original drillings.
h. 84", w. 41-1/2", d. 20-3/4"

Provenance: Accompanying the lot is an old, handwritten note: "Made by Ariel Collins, Born in Enfield Conn. June 9, 1737 Died Springfield Mass. 1820" and "Desk made by Ariel Collins, who gave it to his son in law Gen Jacob Bliss then to Uncle David's wife - to Bryant".

Notes: Jacob Bliss, born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1763, served as a seventeen-year-old soldier in the American Revolution and in the War of 1812. He commanded a brigade of three Western Massachusetts regiments. In 1877, Jacob Bliss married Ariel Collins' daughter, Mary. Their daughter Mary married a David Bryant in 1820.

In very good "as found" condition. The piece exhibits normal shrinkage, wear, blemishes and minor restorations. Tight and stable. The upper doors exhibit filled holes where escutcheons may once have been. The vertical astragal board covering the seam of the doors appears to be replaced. Slant lid hinges replaced with attendant wood splices around them. The lid exhibits a few horizontal shrinkage cracks, the largest about 11" long with wooden filler in the gap. The base exhibits a vertical shrinkage crack on each side, the largest extending about halfway up the case. Back patina consistent top to bottom. The patina of all drawers is consistent. Retains locks, but no key. The brass bail pulls are in original dilling holes and appear to be original. NOTE: Second HALF 19th century, not second quarter.