Chair-Table
Object/Artifact
A convertible chair which can be made into a table, desk or chair. It consists of an oval table with cabriole legs on casters and deep panelled skirt with two bands of wavy molding. When the top is folded back and brass fittings are unlocked, leather upholstered chair may be pulled out to form a writing desk and chair. One drawer. Separate tufted leather pad on chair. Small oval brass plate with: "HEDGES/APRIL 1854/PATENT".
85.05.1
According to Kovel's column in "The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles," October 2013, p. 62 there are "about 17 of these desks" known. "One of these desks sold at a 1998 Christie's auction for $29,900. Neal Auction Co. of New Orleans sold one for just $4,481 in November 2012." New York-Pennsylvania Collector, February, 2016, p. 12A - "A walnut veneered example sold at Christies on October 3, 2007, stamped "Stephen Hedges New York." That example sold for $5,250, including buyers premium." This article also erroneously says that these are called "Aaron Burr" desks due to an article in the New York Herald in 1911 stating that Burr owned one. This is, of course, false as Burr died in 1836 and these weren't developed by Hedges until 1854.
Genesee Country Village and Museum
Hedges, Stephen
1854 - 1864
New York City
New York
United States of America
North America
29-1/2 in
33-1/2 in
25-1/2 in
Mahogany
Leather
Brass