This tapered form work table is one of only four known nearly identical tables (a second is also present in the White House). Here it is shown with all its drawers and compartments open. Its form and complexity attribute the work to Duncan Phyfe of New York. This desk was made for a variety of tasks including: writing, sewing, or miniature painting. Phyfe was born in Scotland and emigrated to New York in 1784. He became one of the premiere cabinet makers in the United States during the first half of the 19th century, known for blending the previous English Neoclassical and Regency styles together in a distinctive way. Phyfe benefited from his location in New York City on Fulton Street, where he was able to ship his furniture out to the southern States and the rich cotton magnates there, as well as to international ports. The table was a gift of the Richard King Mellon Foundation to the White House in 1971.

This composite features pieces from the White House Collection. This image was featured in the exhibition entitled "Slavery and Freedom in the White House Collection". It may only be used for press and publicity purposes related to the exhibit. All other uses must be approved by the White House Historical Association in writing.

This composite features pieces from the White House Collection. This image was featured in the exhibition entitled "Slavery and Freedom in the White House Collection". It may only be used for press and publicity purposes related to the exhibit. All other uses must be approved by the White House Historical Association in writing.

In this photograph taken circa 1962, President John F. Kennedy sits at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The desk was made from the oak timbers of the British ship H.M.S. Resolute and sent as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria in 1880. For her first redecoration of the Oval Office in early 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and interior designer Sister Parish had the desk relocated from the Ground Floor to a place of prominence in the Oval Office.

This photograph of the Oval Office with recently-installed new carpet and drapes was taken by Cecil Stoughton on November 23, 1963, the day after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. President Kennedy and French interior designer Stéphane Boudin selected the carpet and drapes. Although the restoration of the White House is most closely associated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, President Kennedy himself guided the choices for the redecoration of the Oval Office. Tragically, he never saw the completed room, as the curtains and carpet were being installed while he was in Dallas in November 1963.

This photograph of the Oval Office after it was redecorated by interior decorator and socialite Sister Parish was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on August 14, 1961, during the John F. Kennedy administration. Parish utilized green draperies and carpet that were installed in 1947. The centerpiece of the room, the carved oak Resolute Desk, was presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880. Before 1909, the president's office was located in the Executive Mansion. During the William H. Taft administration, the West Wing doubled in size from the 1902 renovation and included a presidential oval office. In 1934, during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, the West Wing was expanded and renovated, with the Oval Office relocated to the West Wing’s southeast corner.

This trunk was owned by President James Monroe. The trunk is outfitted with compartments to hold flatware as well as large silver pieces. President Monroe's name is engraved on the brass plate. Bates Littlehales photographed the trunk for the National Geographic Service in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This Sheraton-style breakfront bookcase was possibly made in Baltimore circa 1800-1805. It has been on display in the Ground Floor Corridor since it became a part of the White House Collection in 1970. The bookcase is used to display examples of presidential china and glassware services. The photograph was taken during the Nixon Administration.

This is the lower detail of John Shaw's 1797 desk and bookcase. The pieces were a gift of the Hendler Foundation, in memory of Lionel Manuel Hendler, in 1963.

This mahogany tambour desk and bookcase made by John and Thomas Seymour was modeled after English designs. The desk has urn-shaped ivory keyhole escutcheons and the rich veneers and inlays characteristic of the Seymours. The desk was the gift of an anonymous donor and the White House Historical Association to the White House in 1974.

This mahogany desk and bookcase was built in 1797 by John Shaw, the most prominent cabinetmaker in Annapolis, Maryland. It has a delicately carved and pierced pediment and inlaid conch shell on the fall board. These pieces were a gift of the Hendler Foundation, in memory of Lionel Manuel Hendler, in 1963.

This mahogany desk and bookcase was built in 1797 by John Shaw, the most prominent cabinetmaker in Annapolis, Maryland. It has a delicately carved and pierced pediment and inlaid conch shell on the fall board. This is a detail photograph of that inlaid conch shell. The pieces were a gift of the Hendler Foundation, in memory of Lionel Manuel Hendler, in 1963.

This bookcase was made in Philadelphia for a Pennsylvania banking family circa 1800 to 1810. The bookcase is one in a pit of Federal period bookcases still believed to be in existence. The pediment features an inlay of urns and scrolls at the center while the doors have inlayed fans in each corner and bands. The bookcase was a gift of Yale University in honor of Francis P. Garvan in 1962. On the shelves is the State Service of President Benjamin Harrison.

This tapered form work table is one of only four known nearly identical tables (a second is also present in the White House). Here it is shown with all its drawers and compartments open. Its form and complexity attribute the work to Duncan Phyfe of New York. This desk was made for a variety of tasks including: writing, sewing, or miniature painting. Phyfe was born in Scotland and emigrated to New York in 1784. He became one of the premiere cabinet makers in the United States during the first half of the 19th century, known for blending the previous English Neoclassical and Regency styles together in a distinctive way. Phyfe benefited from his location in New York City on Fulton Street, where he was able to ship his furniture out to the southern States and the rich cotton magnates there, as well as to international ports. The table was a gift of the Richard King Mellon Foundation to the White House in 1971.

This mahogany linen press with floral inlays belonged to the family of William Paca, who signed the Declaration of Independence and also served as governor of Maryland during 1782-85.

This is the upper detail of John Shaw's 1797 desk and bookcase. The delicately carved pediment is one of Shaw's finest works. The pieces were a gift of the Hendler Foundation, in memory of Lionel Manuel Hendler, in 1963.

This is the makers mark on John Shaw's 1797 desk and bookcase. The book case was a gift of the Hendler Foundation, in memory of Lionel Manuel Hendler, in 1963.

This chest of drawers has a rosewood veneer, mirror glass, and Renaissance revival ornamentation. It is believed to have been purchased by President Andrew Johnson in 1865.

This mahogany dressing chest was made circa 1810 by John and Thomas Seymour. The lunette inlays are characteristic of the Seymour workshop. The chest was a gift of Mrs. Bradley Randall in 1962.

This mahogany cylinder desk and bookcase, made of kingwood and striped maple, has gilded mounts and pulls, mirror plate, and glass. The desk was a gift of the White House Historical Association in 2000.

This Arts and Crafts style white oak cabinet manufactured by Gustav Stickley was used by First Lady Edith Roosevelt to display past state service china in the Ground Floor Corridor. This photo shows the cabinet filled with selected pieces of White House china.

This mahogany desk and bookcase was built between 1815 and 1820 and is attributed to Duncan Phyfe of New York. The gothic arched mullions and the cylinder front with fold-out writing surface are characteristic of Phyfe's furniture. Phyfe was born in Scotland and emigrated to New York in 1784. He became one of the premiere cabinet makers in the United States during the first half of the 19th century, known for blending the previous English Neoclassical and Regency styles together in a distinctive way. Phyfe benefited from his location in New York City on Fulton Street, where he was able to ship his furniture out to the southern States and the rich cotton magnates there, as well as to international ports.

This Sheraton-style breakfront bookcase was possibly made in Baltimore circa 1800-1805. It has been on display in the Ground Floor Corridor since it became a part of the White House Collection in 1970. The bookcase is used to display examples of presidential china and glassware services. The photograph, taken during the Nixon Administration, is from the side, providing a better view of the detail in the front.

This tapered form work table is one of only four known nearly identical tables (a second is also present in the White House). It's form and complexity attribute the work to Duncan Phyfe of New York. This desk was made for a variety of tasks including: writing, sewing, or miniature painting. Phyfe was born in Scotland and emigrated to New York in 1784. He became one of the premiere cabinet makers in the United States during the first half of the 19th century, known for blending the previous English Neoclassical and Regency styles together in a distinctive way. Phyfe benefited from his location in New York City on Fulton Street, where he was able to ship his furniture out to the southern States and the rich cotton magnates there, as well as to international ports. The table was a gift of the Richard King Mellon Foundation to the White House in 1971.

This Sheraton-style breakfront bookcase was possibly made in Baltimore circa 1800-1805. It has been on display in the Ground Floor Corridor since it became a part of the White House Collection in 1970. The bookcase is used to display examples of presidential china and glassware services.