This is the largest piece of writing furniture in the collection and like the slightly smaller version in this room, is unique in the Chippendale repertoire. In 1828, it stood in ‘Mr Home’s writing parlour’. It is one of the best examples of the ‘Paxton style’, not only because of its austere and stately appearance and use of fine wood, but also in its use of discreet detailing mined from the first edition of Chippendale’s design book, The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker’s Director, (1754).

This secretaire bookcase was used by Ninian and George Home to conduct estate business including that required for their plantations in the Caribbean. The upper stage contains twenty-four alphabet lettered holes for filing correspondence. There are multiple drawers and two adjustable shelves all enclosed by double doors.

The lower section is fitted with a secretaire drawer containing two stacks of four small drawers flanking six letter holes and three small drawers in a row with a void beneath, all behind a green baize lined fall front that opens out with brass quadrants. A cupboard space with marbled-paper lined trays for further documents is below.

This extremely practical piece of furniture was used by the family into the 1980s when John Home Robertson, the last owner of Paxton House, conducted his parliamentary business on it as Labour MP for East Lothian. It even held his first computer.

The companion piece on display in this room was made slightly later. It was sold by Helen Home Robertson in 1970 and was purchased by The Paxton Trust in 2022 with grant support.

Whilst ostensibly plain, this Chippendale masterpiece has finely carved embellishments such as the dentilled cornice, Greek key patterned bracket feet, ovalo corners on the cupboard doors, and exquisitely crafted drawers and ‘prospect’ (bank of drawers and letter holes).

Lit. Gilbert, 1978, Figure 95

Jones, 2018, Figure 3

This piece of furniture was conserved in 2022 with funding from Museums Galleries Scotland.