Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori: Appraising President Thomas Jefferson's desk

During a recent episode of Discovery channel’s tv show Auction Kings, I appraised a Federal period writing desk that was once owned by President Thomas Jefferson at his country estate of Poplar Forest. I described the desk as Hepplewhite in style relating to the designs of the British cabinetmaker, George Hepplewhite. Like President Jefferson, many of us currently own examples of Hepplewhite furniture today both original and reproductions. In its day, Hepplewhite was often referred to as city furniture. 

George Hepplewhite (died 1768) was a London designer and cabinetmaker. His famous guidebook, The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterers Guide was published after his death in 1788. The guidebook sparked a period of popularity for the
furniture designs known as Hepplewhite style from 1780 to 1810.  Hepplewhite furniture was especially popular in American states from New England to the Carolinas during the Federal period.

One of the most popular pieces in the Hepplewhite style is the dining room
sideboard or buffet. In the early 1800s, a sideboard was a new furniture form.
Hepplewhite sideboards are often bow-shaped, Bombay-shaped, or serpentine
(curved). In the late Victorian period, circa 1870s-80s, Hepplewhite
reproductions came to the market.

Some of the distinguishing traits of true Hepplewhite furniture include a
consistency of formal design. Hepplewhite pieces typically have straight legs
which may be square or tapered at the bottom (or at the foot). An H stretcher
is common on Hepplewhite chairs and sofas. What’s an H stretcher? It is a
reinforcing piece of wood that connects the legs of a chair or sofa to form the
shape of the letter H. The Hepplewhite style feet are simply styled and
straightforward. They may be a rectangular spade foot (like the garden tool) or
in the shape of an arrow (as if the arrow is shot directly down into the
ground) at the bottom of the leg of a chair or sofa. On heavier pieces of furniture
like a desk, chest, or tall case, bracketed feet are common. One of the most
characteristic traits of Hepplewhite furniture is the use of intricate inlays
of contrasting woods and burl veneers. Hepplewhite pieces may be made of
sycamore veneers, birch, or rosewood. Satinwood, maple, and mahogany are also
standard woods that are found on Hepplewhite furniture. Decorative motifs
include urns, feathers, geometric shapes, shields, ribbons, swags, and leaves.

Many manufacturers reproduced Hepplewhite style furniture in the 1900s following in the formal footsteps of the Federal style. Today, Hepplewhite furniture command high values at auction for their classical lines and formal look. A reproduction Hepplewhite sideboard can command a few thousand dollars on the open market whereas a good, original example of Hepplewhite furniture can bring $50,000-$75,000 at auction.

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events around the world. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on Discovery channel’s hit TV show, Auction Kings. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, @DrLoriV on Twitter, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori or call (888) 431-1010.