Secretary

John and Joseph W. Meeks American

Not on view

In the mid-nineteenth century traditional furniture forms were often updated with ornament referencing popular romantic styles. This cylinder-front secretary (or desk and bookcase) is embellished with Gothic Revival motifs such as pointed-arch windows and quatrefoils. Broad expanses of figured rosewood – which replaced mahogany as the preferred wood at the time – complete the decorative statement.

Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American
Secretary, John and Joseph W. Meeks (active ca. 1836–59), Rosewood, satinwood, poplar, pine, walnut, American

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.