Early 18th Century George I Figured Walnut Bureau Bookcase
England Circa 1720
Price on Application
Follow Us
Early 18th Century George I Figured Walnut Bureau Bookcase, England Circa 1720
A superb and exceptionally well proportioned early 18th century figured walnut ‘pagoda topped’ double dome bureau bookcase, circa 1720 England.
The upper section is surmounted with what is believed to be the original solid walnut finials and soft bevelled mirror plates, opening to a removal bank of walnut veneered and feather banded drawers, cantered by pigeonholes below two shelves. Candle slides are neatly stowed below the bookcase doors to reflect the light.
To the moulded bureau, the fall opens to reveal pigeonholes, long and short asymmetric drawers each beautifully veneered in figured walnut and feather banded, cantered by a cupboard door which neatly conceals an open compartment and drawer. Below the fall, two short and two long graduating oak lined drawers are each book-matched in superb sections of hand-cut figured walnut veneers over bun feet.
It should be noted that this exceptional desk and bookcase, is not only of the finest cuts of figured walnut veneer but exquisitely made at the pinnacle of design which had gradually evolved predominantly in London, during the late 17th and early 18th century.
The actual description ‘desk-and-bookcase’ appears to be first recorded in the accounts of the Royal cabinet-maker Gerrit Jensen (fl.1680-d.1715) who supplied several for the Royal Household from 1710 (Bowett, op. cit.), and another described as ‘a walnut writing desk, the top for books and patons and glass in the doors asked’ for the 5th Earl of Salisbury, Hatfield House. Another maker of this form of desk was the London cabinet-maker John Gumley (1691-1727) who advertised in Richard Steele’s Lover on April 24 1714 that he ‘hath taken for a Ware-house, and furnished all the upper part of the New Exchange in the Strand’ continuing with an extensive list of his stock including ‘Desks and Bookcases.’ In 1714 he supplied one of these in walnut to James 1st Duke of Montrose for the sum of £11.
Russian cabinetwork of this period was strongly influenced by Tsar Peter I return to Russia after his studies in London. He subsequently sent twenty-four cabinetmakers who were working in Amsterdam to London to train as furniture makers. One of these cabinetmakers named Fedor Martynov made furniture for the Empress Anna Ioannovna. Martynov’s drawings are almost identical to the present piece.
Dimensions
Height: 90.56 in. (230 cm)
Width: 40.56 in. (103 cm)
Depth: 23.23 in. (59 cm)
Literature
Mallett’s Great English Furniture, London: Bullfinch Press 1991, p.248, fig 287, by Lanto Synge,
English Furniture 1660 – 1714 From Charles II to Queen Anne, by Dr Adam Bowett,
Woodbridge: Antique Collector’s Club, 2002 Chapter 7 Case Furniture 1689 – 1714 pp.221-223 fig. 7:53
A walnut bureau bookcase of the same form and period sold from the private collection of Patricia Kluge at Albemarle House in Virginia, USA on the 9th June 2010
PREVIOUSLY SOLD
17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox
A 17th century William and Mary Kingwood strongbox, with gilt brass straps. This strongbox has to be one of the most charming and certainly the smallest example we have encountered, at just 17.5 cm high, 28 cm wide and 18 cm deep. A strongbox of similar merit form and style resides at Burghley House in ‘The 1st George State Room.
18th Century George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest or Commode
A fine George III mahogany serpentine commode, England, circa 1770. Attributed to Henry Hill, Marlborough. The three graduated drawers retain their original gilt brass handles over a unique carved apron and flanked by moulded angles continuing into the shaped cabriole feet.
George I Burr and Highly Figured Walnut Lowboy, Circa 1720
George I Burr and Highly Figured Walnut Lowboy Circa 1720. England SOLD Follow UsGeorge I Burr and Highly Figured Walnut Lowboy, Circa 1720. England The feather and cross banded top is quarter veneered with burr walnut and edged with a...
18th-Century George III fitted miniature burr yew and satinwood chest attributed to Ince and Mayhew
A perfectly proportioned miniature chest attributed to Ince and Mayhew. The miniature is of a style that thrived in the latter part of the 18th century, proving popular with nobility and the middle classes. I am not aware of another miniature chest thought to be by eminent makers.
George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Georgian perfection, 18th century George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers with brushing slide, fabulous reeded columns and retaining superb original age patinated surface. Choice cuts of flame mahogany veneer sit below the brushing-slide to the four oak lined cock-beaded graduating drawers, which are fitted with their original gilt swan-neck handles, skeleton escutcheons and locks.
Queen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase
Queen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase 1702 to 1714 England SOLD Follow UsQueen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase A Queen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase,...
17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox
A 17th century William and Mary Kingwood strongbox, with gilt brass straps. This strongbox has to be one of the most charming and certainly the smallest example we have encountered, at just 17.5 cm high, 28 cm wide and 18 cm deep. A strongbox of similar merit form and style resides at Burghley House in ‘The 1st George State Room.
18th Century George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest or Commode
A fine George III mahogany serpentine commode, England, circa 1770. Attributed to Henry Hill, Marlborough. The three graduated drawers retain their original gilt brass handles over a unique carved apron and flanked by moulded angles continuing into the shaped cabriole feet.
George I Burr and Highly Figured Walnut Lowboy, Circa 1720
George I Burr and Highly Figured Walnut Lowboy Circa 1720. England SOLD Follow UsGeorge I Burr and Highly Figured Walnut Lowboy, Circa 1720. England The feather and cross banded top is quarter veneered with burr walnut and edged with a...
18th-Century George III fitted miniature burr yew and satinwood chest attributed to Ince and Mayhew
A perfectly proportioned miniature chest attributed to Ince and Mayhew. The miniature is of a style that thrived in the latter part of the 18th century, proving popular with nobility and the middle classes. I am not aware of another miniature chest thought to be by eminent makers.
George III Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers
Georgian perfection, 18th century George III mahogany serpentine chest of drawers with brushing slide, fabulous reeded columns and retaining superb original age patinated surface. Choice cuts of flame mahogany veneer sit below the brushing-slide to the four oak lined cock-beaded graduating drawers, which are fitted with their original gilt swan-neck handles, skeleton escutcheons and locks.
Queen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase
Queen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase 1702 to 1714 England SOLD Follow UsQueen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase A Queen Anne Fully Fitted Figured-Walnut Double Dome Bureau Bookcase,...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
19th Century Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Tablet Depicting Italian Architecture
19th Century Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Tablet Depicting Italian Architecture £3,650Follow Us19th Century Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Tablet Depicting Italian Architecture A fine mid-19th century serpentine grand tour micro mosaic tablet or...
Large William and Mary 17th Century Inlaid Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1690
Large William and Mary 17th Century Inlaid Olive Oyster Lace Box £5,500[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"...
Early 19th Century High Regency Brass Snake Doorstop
Early 19th Century High Regency Brass Snake Doorstop £1,100Follow UsEarly 19th Century High Regency Brass Snake Doorstop A high Regency solid brass bell-shaped doorstop with snake handle, from the reign of George IV, Circa 1770. England The...
Extremely Rare George III 18th Century Quarter-Striking Bracket Clock, Signed
Extremely Rare George III 18th Century Quarter-Striking Bracket Clock, Signed Follow UsExtremely Rare George III 18th Century Quarter-Striking Bracket Clock, Signed An extremely rare George III 18th century ebonized quarter-striking bracket...
18th Century George III Carved Mahogany Serpentine Concertina Action Card Table
18th Century George III Carved Mahogany Serpentine Concertina Action Card Table £19,800Follow Us18th Century George III Carved Mahogany Serpentine Concertina Action Card Table A bold and impressive George III carved mahogany serpentine...
Regency Antique Simulated Rosewood Gilt Lined X Frame Stool
Regency Antique Simulated Rosewood Gilt Lined X Frame Stool £3,900Follow UsRegency Antique Simulated Rosewood Gilt Lined X Frame Stool A beautifully drawn Regency simulated rosewood, decorated and gilt lined x-frame stool in the manner of...
19th Century Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Tablet Depicting Italian Architecture
19th Century Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Tablet Depicting Italian Architecture £3,650Follow Us19th Century Grand Tour Micro Mosaic Tablet Depicting Italian Architecture A fine mid-19th century serpentine grand tour micro mosaic tablet or...
Large William and Mary 17th Century Inlaid Olive Oyster Lace Box, Circa 1690
Large William and Mary 17th Century Inlaid Olive Oyster Lace Box £5,500[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"...
Early 19th Century High Regency Brass Snake Doorstop
Early 19th Century High Regency Brass Snake Doorstop £1,100Follow UsEarly 19th Century High Regency Brass Snake Doorstop A high Regency solid brass bell-shaped doorstop with snake handle, from the reign of George IV, Circa 1770. England The...
Extremely Rare George III 18th Century Quarter-Striking Bracket Clock, Signed
Extremely Rare George III 18th Century Quarter-Striking Bracket Clock, Signed Follow UsExtremely Rare George III 18th Century Quarter-Striking Bracket Clock, Signed An extremely rare George III 18th century ebonized quarter-striking bracket...
18th Century George III Carved Mahogany Serpentine Concertina Action Card Table
18th Century George III Carved Mahogany Serpentine Concertina Action Card Table £19,800Follow Us18th Century George III Carved Mahogany Serpentine Concertina Action Card Table A bold and impressive George III carved mahogany serpentine...
Regency Antique Simulated Rosewood Gilt Lined X Frame Stool
Regency Antique Simulated Rosewood Gilt Lined X Frame Stool £3,900Follow UsRegency Antique Simulated Rosewood Gilt Lined X Frame Stool A beautifully drawn Regency simulated rosewood, decorated and gilt lined x-frame stool in the manner of...