Tambour Desk and Bookcase, ca. 1795-1808

Attributed to Thomas (1771-1848) and John Seymour (ca. 1738-1818)

Mahogany, mahogany and curly maple veneers/pine; glass; reverse-painted glass, ivory, brass

This desk and bookcase set, made by John and Thomas Seymour of Boston, is made of mahogany. There are several mahogany pieces made by the Seymours in the White House Collection; the use of exotic wood was common in their work. Because mahogany was a scarce resource, it was expensive. As a result, mahogany came to represent status, wealth, and civility in early America.

While the exact source of this mahogany is unknown, this set is an example of how raw materials harvested largely by enslaved labor abroad came into the homes of affluent Americans. Even those who did not own enslaved laborers themselves benefitted from slavery in indirect ways.