18th Century George II Mahogany Miniature Bureau
SOLD
Request Information
Follow Us
18th Century George II Mahogany Miniature Bureau
What came first…. the miniature or the full scale?
This small scale model at just 9” wide dates from the very beginning of the mahogany period in English furniture, circa 1730-1740. The slender bracket foot, the open plate original gilt brass escutcheon to the fall and unusually or extremely early for the period skeleton escutcheons to the drawers.
Some say that miniature pieces such as this were made by the apprentice and I’m sure in some cases perhaps they were, but this piece is fine, with oak-lined dovetailed drawers, box cockbeading which was possibly Japanned and a fully working miniature lock. From a cabinetmaking background myself, it is clear to me that this piece was made with an extremely high level of understanding of the techniques required to produce the full-scale example and therefore, by the master to show potential clients the latest developments in furniture making and design of the period to secure the full-scale commission! How exciting it would have been to know your full-size bureau would be delivered after studying this model!
This piece is most likely London made and possibly Saint Paul’s churchyard. Of course, it could have been made elsewhere but given the date of the piece and quality, I think unlikely.
Condition
Good. This item has been lightly cleaned and waxed with a conservation approach to retain all patination and age. Original condition, Wear consistent with age and use.
Provenance
Literature
Dimensions
H 26 cm x W 24 cm x D 13 cm
PREVIOUSLY SOLD

18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on chest, circa 1770-1780
18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on chest, circa 1770-1780 Sold Follow Us18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on chest, circa 1770-1780 18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on Chest, circa 1770-1780....

A Fine and Rare Queen Anne Walnut and Marquetry Chair with Tapestry Fragment
A Fine and Rare Queen Anne Walnut and Marquetry Chair with Tapestry Fragment Sold Follow UsA Fine and Rare Queen Anne Walnut and Marquetry Chair with Tapestry Fragment A fine and rare early eighteenth-century Queen Anne walnut and seaweed...

18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet SoldFollow Us18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet Depicting figurative scenes to all planes and opening on engraved strap hinges to a fitted interior of...

Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740, England
Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740, England Sold Follow UsFigured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740, England A Fine and Rare Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740,...

William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Chest on Stand, circa 1680-1690
William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Chest on Stand, circa 1680-1690 Sold Follow UsWilliam and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Chest on Stand, circa 1680-1690 A superb and fine olive oyster chest on stand from the reign of King William...

18th Century George II Ball and Claw Walnut Stool on Cabriole Leg, circa 1730
18th Century George II Ball and Claw Walnut Stool on Cabriole Leg, circa 1730 SoldFollow Us18th Century George II Ball and Claw Walnut Stool on Cabriole Leg, circa 1730 An Important 18th century George II Carved Walnut Stool, Circa 1730-1740...

18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on chest, circa 1770-1780
18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on chest, circa 1770-1780 Sold Follow Us18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on chest, circa 1770-1780 18th Century George III Mahogany Secretaire Chest on Chest, circa 1770-1780....

A Fine and Rare Queen Anne Walnut and Marquetry Chair with Tapestry Fragment
A Fine and Rare Queen Anne Walnut and Marquetry Chair with Tapestry Fragment Sold Follow UsA Fine and Rare Queen Anne Walnut and Marquetry Chair with Tapestry Fragment A fine and rare early eighteenth-century Queen Anne walnut and seaweed...

18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet SoldFollow Us18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet Depicting figurative scenes to all planes and opening on engraved strap hinges to a fitted interior of...

Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740, England
Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740, England Sold Follow UsFigured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740, England A Fine and Rare Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk. Circa 1740,...

William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Chest on Stand, circa 1680-1690
William and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Chest on Stand, circa 1680-1690 Sold Follow UsWilliam and Mary 17th Century Olive Oyster Chest on Stand, circa 1680-1690 A superb and fine olive oyster chest on stand from the reign of King William...

18th Century George II Ball and Claw Walnut Stool on Cabriole Leg, circa 1730
18th Century George II Ball and Claw Walnut Stool on Cabriole Leg, circa 1730 SoldFollow Us18th Century George II Ball and Claw Walnut Stool on Cabriole Leg, circa 1730 An Important 18th century George II Carved Walnut Stool, Circa 1730-1740...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

19th-Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock
19th-Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock £6,800 [wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"...

Large William and Mary 17th Century Figured Walnut Cushion Mirror c, 1690
Large William and Mary 17th Century Figured Walnut Cushion Mirror c, 1690 £7,495[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"...

An extremely rare George I walnut chest of small proportions on ball and bracket
An extremely rare George I walnut chest of small proportions on ball and bracket £18,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...

A Rare 18th Century George II Musical Table Clock by Matthew King, c. 1735.
A Rare 18th Century George II Musical Table Clock by Matthew King, c. 1735. £24,500[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...

Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan £5,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...

A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Burl Walnut Cabinet on Chest, Circa 1690
A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Burl Walnut Cabinet on Chest, Circa 1690 £27,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...

19th-Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock
19th-Century French Flame Mahogany Napoleon Empire Period Mantel Clock £6,800 [wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"...

Large William and Mary 17th Century Figured Walnut Cushion Mirror c, 1690
Large William and Mary 17th Century Figured Walnut Cushion Mirror c, 1690 £7,495[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"...

An extremely rare George I walnut chest of small proportions on ball and bracket
An extremely rare George I walnut chest of small proportions on ball and bracket £18,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...

A Rare 18th Century George II Musical Table Clock by Matthew King, c. 1735.
A Rare 18th Century George II Musical Table Clock by Matthew King, c. 1735. £24,500[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...

Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Diminutive Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan £5,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...

A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Burl Walnut Cabinet on Chest, Circa 1690
A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Burl Walnut Cabinet on Chest, Circa 1690 £27,800[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...