Bureau Table

c. 1770

This elegant piece epitomizes the Late Baroque style that flourished in Newport, Rhode Island. It is one of six bureaus attributed to John Townsend on the basis of similar construction and design features in labeled pieces by the maker. Bureau tables most likely functioned as dressing tables and were particularly popular among the Quaker citizens of Newport, who appreciated their wide array of storage possibilities.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

Attributed to John Townsend (American, 1732–1809) Newport, Rhode Island

Date

c. 1770

Medium

Mahogany, chestnut, and tulip poplar

Dimensions

86.6 × 93.4 × 58 cm (34 1/8 × 36 3/4 × 20 in.)

Origin

Newport

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Gift of Jamee J. and Marshall Field