William & Mary walnut double dome bureau bookcase/ cabinet

£19,500.00

A rare William & Mary-period walnut double-dome bureau bookcase / cabinet.

Of compact size and proportions.
In superb condition with old, waxed, well-patinated surfaces of very good colour.

Ref: BHA 1112


Contact the team

Description

A rare William & Mary-period walnut double-dome bureau bookcase / cabinet. Circa 1685.

Of compact size and proportions.
In excellent overall condition with old, waxed, well-patinated surfaces of very good colour.

This bureau bookcase, or cabinet, divides into three separate sections (which helps date it to the last quarter of the 17th century). The bold double-dome pediment and cross-grain mouldings are typical of this period, and are repeated in the side returns. The book-matched, hand-cut veneers are well figured throughout, and are contained within herringbone lines.

The bookcase section has candle slides, contains shelves and fitted drawers. Gilded finials are later.

The centre section with a quarter-veneered fall reveals a fitted interior, concealed well and a secret compartment.

The writing section is raised on a three-drawer base with an unusual and boldly-arcaded apron, in turn raised on its apparently original walnut bun feet.
The drawer dividers are faced with cross-grain walnut ‘D’ mouldings.

The brass engraved mounts are correct for period but not original, however the locks and hinges are.
It is unusual to encounter these early bookcases / cabinets constructed in three stages; an indication of a transition taking place from the 17th into the 18th century.

This is a fine, rare and sophisticated piece of late-17th century walnut furniture, its form sometimes referred to as an escritoire, a scrutoire, or a writing cabinet.

Measures:
W 3’2″
D 23″ max
H 6’7″ excl finials.

This rare form of double-dome bureau cabinet can be compared to an interesting oak cabinet sold by David Drey – a highly respected and knowledgeable dealer – in 1966, and subsequently sold at the Simon Sainsbury sale in Christies 18th June 2008 @ £73,250. We cannot record any other cabinet of this form with a similar stylish arcaded base appearing on the market in recent years.
Nb. David Drey opened his first antique shop in the King’s Road, London SW3 in 1949. He is related to the dynasty of art dealers begun by the famous Aron S. Drey in Munich in the 1860s. By the 1960s the directors of David Drey Ltd were David, G.C. Drey, R.C. Saxby and J.M. Wallace.