Eastern North Carolina, Bertie County, late 18th century, yellow pine secondary, dovetailed case, hinged molded-lip slant lid with breadboard ends featuring a beautiful example of burl walnut, interior with central paneled prospect door opening to reveal seven small dovetailed drawers, the prospect compartment is a dovetailed case that is removable (with pencil script to back of compartment) there are three graduated small drawers at rear of prospect compartment, flanked by six pigeon holes with shaped valances, above six small dovetailed drawers, the prospect and pigeon hole configuration is elevated one half inch and defined by a nice molded front base edge, the case with four graduated lipped long drawers with dustboards, raised on shaped bracket foot base.

41.5 x 40 x 20.5 in. Case width 38.25 in.

Collection of a Gentleman, Easton, Maryland

Backside of the compartment it is written in pencil script "This was built by Benjamin Manning AD 1770 and was repaired by Benjamin A. Naylor AD 1881 and never has been sold and never must be it must always be kept in the family" and in another hand in pen "Desk was renovated in 1915 by JA Turner, great great grandson of Benj. Manning"; also inscribed "Repaired by BA Naylor 1881" in pencil on the graduated drawers at rear of prospect cabinet.

Cut and patch to breadboard end on left side of lid; prospect door upper hinge present but loose; lopers present but in need of restoration; left and right rear feet replaced and left currently with break and needing repair; later pulls and with plug holes; drawer runners rebuilt; second drawer with cut and patch to right lipped edge; multiple loose wood pieces for use and repair currently present in small drawers.

$1,000 - 3,000