Desk and Ledger at Mount Vernon

This multi-colored cross-section came from the exterior of the c. 1745 desk and ledger case that stands nearly eight feet tall. Made by cabinetmaker Robert Walker (1710-1775), likely for merchant Thomas Jett (d. 1785), and now owned by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, this desk and ledger case was originally painted medium blue on a medium gray primer. Entirely stripped of its paint in the early- twentieth century, Susan Buck’s examination uncovered its colorful past.

The first generation of paint was made with Prussian blue, white lead, and calcium carbonate. The clumps of deep Prussian blue pigments in the original paint are typical of hand-ground pigments containing Prussian blue, which tended to clump causing uneven dispersal. It is also evident from the cross-section that the surface of the paint became blanched and dirty. This type of surface discoloration is typical of Prussian blue-based paints, which can bleach out when exposed to direct sun, become discolored when washed with caustic materials, and yellow over time due to being mixed with the traditional binder, linseed oil.

The evidence of frequent repainting found in this sample from the desk and ledger case – at least ten generations of paint – suggests that this important piece was freshened with new paint on a regular basis. This may have occurred when the room it occupied was repainted to ensure matching colorways. Or perhaps it was repainted when it was moved to a different space or acquired by a new owner. The discovery of such a rich and varied paint history on this object is surprising. It tells us that the object was generally well-cared for and continued to be valued during different periods of use.