Southern Federal Eagle Inlaid cherry fall-front desk, Southern yellow pine secondary. Top of case with exposed dovetails; lip-molded hinged and inlaid fall-board with a center inlaid oval reserve featuring an eagle with Federal shield grasping a branch and arrow cluster and the beak holding a banner representing sixteen stars for Tennessee (which became the 16th state in 1795). The desk opens to a fitted interior of a plain central prospect drawer opening to a blocked and shell-carved prospect bank of dovetailed drawers (the bank of drawers removable to reveal a secret compartment). The prospect door is flanked on each side by two dovetailed document  drawers beside four pigeonholes with scrolled valances, over a bank of four dovetailed drawers of equal size. Lower case with four graduated cockbeaded dovetailed drawers with oval line inlay. The base with an alternating diamond pattern inlay transitioning to an apron having a center semicircular inlaid fan and flaring French feet. Oval ebony inlaid escutcheons. Appears to retain the old, possibly original set of eagle brasses, the top drawer brasses with 13 stars and the lower three drawers with 15 stars. 38 7/8 in. W x 20 3/4 in. D x 45 3/8 in. H. 35 7/8" depth with fall front open. Circa 1800. 

Old, possibly original surface. Hinges on fall-front replaced with patches, upper left corner of fall front edge with loss, inlaid fan edge with losses and chips. Old patch to bottom 4" right rear foot facing and left rear foot facing re-attached. Minor inlay losses on drawers and base. The two left valances appear to be old replacements.