- Created by
- Day, Thomas, American, 1801 - 1861
- Date
- 1850s
- Medium
- pine, mahogany, poplar, metal, hide glue
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (drawers and mirror): 89 7/16 × 42 5/16 × 21 7/16 in. (227.2 × 107.5 × 54.5 cm)
- Description
- A bureau made by Thomas Day. The bureau has a lower case, an upper case (2017.25a), mirror supports, and a mirror (2017.25b). The upper case has two drawers with metal key holes and wood drawer pulls. The lower case has four drawers. Each drawer has a metal key hole at center. The bottom three drawers have wood drawer pulls. The top drawer of the lower case projects out over the three bottom drawers and is faced with reverse ogee molding. The bureau is of mortice and tenon construction. There are multiple scribe marks throughout the interior of the bureau showing that the mortices and tenons were likely cut by hand. Most of the lower case is constructed of southern yellow pine. The floating side panels are re-sawn mahogany boards that retain the sash saw marks. The front stiles and wide floating panel of the rear are tulip poplar. The front feet are made of a lamination of two mahogany boards. The drawer rails are yellow pine. The bottom board of the lower case is tulip poplar and is secured with nails. The tenons on the rear of the bureau are secured with hide glue and nails. The carved front feet are attached with metal screws.
- Place made
- Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Place used
- Milton, Caswell County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
- Type
- bureaus
- Topic
- American South
- Black interiors
- Building Arts
- Business
- Craftsmanship
- Design
- Domestic life
- Free communities of color
- Furniture design
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2017.25ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




