Description
A Small Walnut Bureau Cabinet with floral marquetry of exceptionally small proportions. Also known as a Secretary.
The top section with broken arch pediment above two doors profusely and beautifully inlaid with birds, foliage and floral marquetry.
The doors open to reveal twenty four fitted small drawers all faced in walnut veneers, and oak lined.
Two candle slides below.
The bureau base with surfaces inlaid with floral marquetry matching the doors. The interior is fitted with banks of twelve small drawers matching the top section, and an old, green tooled leather writing surface. The fall is supported on two forward sliding lopers. The base with two short and two long drawers all faced with marquetry inlays on a walnut ground, and oak lined.
The sides inlaid in walnut within crossbanded margins, outlined in ebony and boxwood stringing matching the top and base.
Raised on later bun feet.
Excellent rich colour and overall condition with some evidence of previous, high quality restorations entirely compatible with age.
NB. It is extremely rare to find an antique walnut bureau cabinet of these small and highly desirable proportions.
Marquetry inlay was a very complex, time consuming and costly procedure undertaken by cabinet maker specialists in this field. There are many features in this bureau cabinet which point to it having been created by a Continental master cabinet maker for the English market.
Note the locks, walnut veneers, fitted interior, drawer configuration, restrained overall design and the ‘D’ mouldings applied to the carcass. All indicative of a date of ca. 1760. Locks and mounts English in origin, some of which are apparently original. Simple fitting out of the writing section is very typical in small bureau cabinets of this date.
