A Fine Queen Anne Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase c. 1710

Of a spectacularly rich colour and outstanding original condition, this beautiful bureau bookcase is of the finest quality and dates from c. 1710

With broken arch pediment with walnut cavetto moulding above two mirrored doors each with the original deeply bevelled and shaped plates, and two candle slides below so that the candle light would reflect in the mirrors.

The well shaped doors with featherbanded inlays and crossbanded borders, the fall drawers and pediment with matching featherbanded inlays and crossbanded borders in figured walnut centred with burr walnut panels.

The upper case doors with crossbanding and moulded bead frames to the plates, open with original hinges and locking mechanism to reveal a fully fitted interior of small featherbanded drawers with original handles and tall canopied pigeon holes.

In superb condition for age and clearly very well cared for and with only a couple of very minor veneer repairs and restorations. With one mirror plate slightly more foxed than the other but both mirror plates original and reflecting very well and the foxing not noticeable in daylight or in normal indoor lighting.

The fall lowers on original hinges to sit firm and level on the lopers and encloses a very finely made interior with central architectural mirror panel door and small well shaped drawers and pigeon holes, the drawers all with featherbanding. The fall retains its original lock and an original key which operates the locks to the fall and all but one of the principal drawers (all locks original).

All of the inner and principal drawers are oak lined with slender oak wainscot boards and very fine dovetailed joints.

The small door opens on original pierced and shaped brass strap hinges to reveal an inner drawer and shelf. Remove the low long drawer to the right of this door to access a secret compartment and secret drawer – original also – with a leather thong handle.

Retaining all of its original brass handles and escutcheons and with original locks and working keys for both the lower bureau and upper bookcase.

The whole dressed in the most beautifully matched burr and figured walnut veneers and set on original bracket feet and plinth.

The use of bracket feet in this late Queen Anne Period indicates that it was made in London where the fashions changed in line with aristocratic and Royal tastes and were immediately reflected in the form and designs of their cabinet makers.

On the back, in early script which appears to be contemporaneous, are the words G H Salon No JO. In the early 1700s a ‘Salon’ was a gathering place, usually hosted by an influential and wealthy woman in her private home, and was used to encourage social, intellectual and literary conversations and exchanges. The gatherings were a central hub for the aristocracy and upper middle class in this ‘Enlightened’ period and included academics, writers, artists, political figures and enabled the dissemination of good manners and social etiquette that helped to define ‘polite society’. For women, who were for the most part excluded from formal education, the Salon provided a space for education and networking, the privacy of the setting enabling people to express themselves freely without censorship. In the early 1800s Holland House was one such Salon, presided over by Lady Holland and was the most famous meeting place for politicians, artists, writers and philosophers.

It is easy to imagine this beautiful bureau bookcase in such a setting where it could be admired and used by an array of invited guests.

Strongly recommended as a very fine, genuine and rare example in superior original condition.