Desk and bookcase 1776 - 1779

This desk and bookcase was made of mahogany, in Boston, during the late 18th century, by Nathaniel Gould. At the time Boston was a major port city in New England, and the desk represents both the wealth that flowed through the city, and the refined tastes of its merchant class. The desk is an example of the high style of American furniture during this period. The combination of a desk and bookcase would have been a status symbol, indicating that the owner was both wealthy and educated. The desk's design is influenced by English furniture styles, but it also has its own distinct American character in its relative simplicity and the use of local materials. Looking at Gould’s furniture allows us to consider the economy of early America, the circulation of goods and ideas across the Atlantic, and the formation of a new American identity. Auction records and inventories can tell us about the original owners.