Goddard and Townsend Desk

During the 1760s, Goddard and Townsend created this secretary desk. Those who purchased such an item we're searching for a practical item as well as a decorative piece for their home. Only 9 of these desks were ever produced, making them extremely rare and expensive to acquire. One of these desks sold for a stunning $11,480,675 at Christie's in 1989. It was the most expensive American-made furniture ever sold at that time.

A number of distinguishing characteristics identify the furniture linked with the Goddard and Townsend families. One of the important aspects is the so-called Block-and-shell motif, which consists of a block front topped by a carved shell in an alternating concave and convex pattern. Recently unearthed cabinetmakers such as Benjamin Baker (1734–1822) of Newport and Grindal Rawson (1719–1803) of Providence are also known to have employed the carved shell motif while making case furniture. This school's furniture is also known for having a distinctive ball and claw foot with an open area carved between the talon and ball. It is thought that such a form is peculiar to Newport, though not to the Goddard or Townsend families.

Price: $11,480,675