Desk and Bookcase 1805 - 1810

This desk and bookcase was made by John Davey, a New York cabinetmaker, likely sometime around 1820. It’s crafted primarily from mahogany, with delicate inlays of satinwood and other contrasting woods. Notice how the maker has used the wood grain almost like a painter uses pigment, particularly on the drawer fronts and lower doors. These swirling patterns are no accident; they are created by carefully chosen cuts of veneer, thin sheets of wood applied over a solid carcase. Veneering allowed Davey to achieve a level of visual complexity that would have been impossible with solid timber alone. The piece speaks to a moment when the division of labor in furniture workshops was becoming increasingly specialized. While Davey may have designed the piece, other hands would have been responsible for the veneer work, the carving, and the finishing. This kind of intricate cabinetmaking was a team effort, reflecting the complex social relations of early industrial America. By appreciating the many steps of its making, we can fully understand this object’s beauty.