|
Writing Desks
in Mexico and New York
Desks are specialized
pieces of furniture used to hold pens, ink and paper, and store
important documents. In Spain and Mexico, during 16th and 17th centuries,
writing desks were portable, as was much of the furniture. Larger
desks became common in the 18th-century through Europe and the American
colonies.
|
|
|
|
|
Writing Desk
Franz Mayer Collection
|
Desk
Bayou Bend Collection
|
|
|
|
Desks
Portable
writing desks or cases were popular forms of furniture in Spain
and Spanish colonies in the Americas. This writing desk is unique
in New Spain because it has a folding top and drawers at the front.
|
Desks
The
slant-form writing desk was a new kind of piece of furniture in
the 18th century. Slant top folds down to provide a writing surface.
Behind the desk front are places for storing documents.
|
Decoration
The
artist used inlaid, contrasting tones of wood to make the complex
decoration on the front and sides of the desk. The eight-pointed
stars inscribed within circles and other geometric motifs are
of Moorish influence.
Inside, the
lid of the desk and the back have brilliant lacquer decoration
in imitation of Chinese art. The lacquer designs include a lion,
a leopard, and flowers.
|
Decoration
Like
most expensive furniture of the period, this desk has a veneer
surface of elaborately burled woods. Pine, a less expensive wood,
was used for the areas underneath the veneer.
The complex
veneers on the front of the desk, using darker strips to separate
areas of patterned wood, indicates that this desk was probably
made in New York.
|
Function
In the 16th- and early 17th-centuries, Spain had no central administrative
capital. Because the Spanish court was constantly on the move,
portable furniture was very important. Portable furniture in Mexico
was prevalent until well into the 18th century.
In New Spain,
desks, writing cases, and wastepaper baskets were very fashionable,
whether or not people knew how to write. Objects associated with
writing were status symbols and are listed in many inventories
of private property in the colonial period.
|
Function
This desk functioned as an office for a wealthy person. At a time
when most people worked at home, a desk like this provided a place
to store important papers, maintain correspondence and records,
The locks on the drawers and the lid indicate the importance of
papers stored inside. The elaborate veneer surface attests to
the wealth and status of the desk's owner.
|
| |
|
|
