Gentleman’s secretary 1800 - 1810

This "Gentleman’s secretary" (1800-1810) by American cabinetmaker Nehemiah Adams (1769-1840) is a fine example of Federal-style furniture. The piece is a large, two-part cabinet with a glazed upper section for display and a lower section with drawers and doors. The ornate, curved top and elegant, oval inlays are characteristic of the Federal style, which was popular in the United States during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This secretary is now on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.