2004.2.1 Charles Rohlfs, Desk

Resting upon a base that allows the upper portion to pivot, this “swinging writing desk” has cutwork details, pronounced pegs, and a wispy, smoke-like pair of finials that suggest a whimsical storybook chalet. In an 1899 article for The House Beautiful, Charlotte Moffitt described a similar example as “nothing so much as a miniature Swiss cottage.”

Kevin Tucker, DMA unpublished material, Label text (2004.2.1), 2004.

n.d.: Charles Rohlfs, Buffalo, NY [1]

Until 1956: R. H. Mesick, Los Angeles, CA, purchased from the above [1]

From 1956: Vivian Holmberg, Burbank, CA, purchased from the above [1], [2]

From 2003: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased at auction, "Important 20th Century Design," Sotheby's, New York, December 12, 2003, lot 514, listed as "Revolving Desk, Model No. 500. [1]

[1] Provenance listed in Sotheby's auction catalogue, December 12, 2003, p. 18.

[2] See receipt of payment from Vivian Holmberg to R. H. Mesick (dated July 20, 1956, original in Collections Records Object File).

https://books.google.com/books?id=6e9AAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP7#v=onepage&q&f=false 

https://books.google.com/books?id=iVs3AQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA513&ots=v7u0zMea4z&dq=Puritan%20august%201900&pg=PA513#v=onepage&q=Puritan%20august%201900&f=false 

http://daten.digitale-sammlungen.de/~db/0008/bsb00087502/images/ 

According to the original owner, Charles Rohlfs built this desk for his wife, novelist Anna Katherine Green.

Apply to objects where number equals 2004.2.1