Cylinder Desk and Bookcase 1815-20 Attributed to Duncan Phyfe Scottish The exacting craftsmanship, rarely seen roll-top mechanism, and first-quality woods indicate that this bookcase was certainly made by one of the finest furniture establishments in the United States. One particular featurethe spiral-fluted ellipsoids above the tapered legsrelates this cylinder desk and bookcase to a labeled Duncan Phyfe work table in the Winterthur Museum collection. The writing board is mechanically activated and moves forward as the roll-top, or cylinder, front is lifted.. Cylinder Desk and Bookcase 3159