BUREAUX AND BUREAUX CABINETS
DESKS: BUREAUX AND BUREAUX CABINETS
About 1690-1740
Walnut veneered two-part bureau, about 1700.
Acombination of the bureau on stand and the escritoire, having an upper desk section with a fitted interior mounted on a chest of drawers; can have a cabinet above with further interior fittings for ledgers, papers,
Initially made in two sections with applied ‘waist’ moulding around join. (Moulding sometimes retained for decorative effect, even when made in one piece.)
Base: Until about 1725, square (oak) lopers at top, thereafter rectangular. May have single or pair of drawer(s) between, above two or three long drawers of graduated size, or blank space fronting a well with sliding top accessible from desk interior. A well suggests a slightly earlier date.
Usually narrow moulding at base. Bun feet until about 1710, then bracket. (Many buns replaced with brackets at later date; modern trend is to revert to type.)
A few have full-width writing-slide at top, usually with corresponding book-rest moulding on fall.
For details of drawer fronts, etc. see CHESTS OF DRAWERS, p. 86.
Desk: Sloping fall; generally flush with surrounding framework. Sometimes ovolo lip moulding around 1710-1720, matching drawers below. Narrow cock-beading introduced about 1730. Top always flush with sides; never overhanging.
Interior fittings: Plenty of variation, but always symmetrically arranged and set back from front edge. Simplest with open pigeon holes (often with arched top and aprons) and maybe two or three shallow drawers below, frequently of undulating outline. Early interiors generally stepped (later on country versions), with drawers of convex or concave section. Best have central cupboard flanked by pilasters (the grandest with ormolu or gilt brass capitals). Secret compartment usually concealed behind; reached by removal of
shelf, drawer or other fittings.
Upper cabinet: Sits within applied moulding. Two, occasionally one door(s). Fashionable early pieces panelled with mirror glass (with bevelled edges), but can be wooden, finished both inside and out, as doors were often left open to show off elaborate interior. This has further drawers and pigeon-holes etc. all flush with front. Some partitions tall and narrow for ledgers, folios.
Moulded cornice above may be:
straight
domed (single arch)
broken dome
double dome (most highly prized in its day)
broken architectural (i.e. straight-edged) pediment (found after 1725 and on mahogany only)
All with finial(s) at centre and/or sides.
Mirrored cabinets may have pair of candle slides at base (so that light could be reflected in glass). Both features went out of fashion around 1740.
Principally walnut veneer on pine carcase (with oak for drawer linings). Occasionally other figured veneers of mulberry, yew etc. Mahogany after about 1725.
Oak for some country and provincial pieces;
Queen Victoria’s reign in cast iron or brass or combinations of the two. Generally an iron base (for stability) and brass decorative parts. On all-iron pieces the body was covered with drapery and was therefore purely functional, usually simply ribbed or latticed.
Modern-style cribs or cots: First appeared during Regency. Initially in rectangular box form with turned spindles and straight, square-sectioned uprights continuous with legs.
Victorian examples marked by cast-iron construction with variously patterned mesh sides; sometimes raised around one end. Could have half-tester canopy (see p. 22). By 1900, generally plain slatted or turned wooden verticals, usually painted in plain colours. Height was adjustable on one side and on the base of wire mesh.
Oak, sometimes elm or other woods, for rocking cradles; mahogany, sometimes rosewood, for the swing type. Cast iron and brass tubing in the 19thC. Victorian reproductions often made in beech or pine, painted and grained to simulate oak.
Late victorian/edwardian metal Childs bed.
Until about 1800, the majority of cradles
were evidently made in wicker (with wooden rockers), but survivals in Britain in unknown.
In grand houses, cradles, like beds, were an indication of status and could be elaborate. State cradles were made in beech and completely covered with upholstery.
Cradles: Panelled. In early 18thC fielded panels were fashionable. Rockers usually cut and pegged into base of corner uprights, but could be attached via short turned supports dowelling into rockers and underside of frame. Hood occasionally hinged at back to allow easy access to baby. Sometimes holes, large wooden pins, or metal loops present at top of sides to take ropes to hold baby in place. Bottom usually had similar holes for bedlines (see p. 23). Alternatively could have fixed laths or a solid base, the planks removable for
easy cleaning.
Swing cots: Straightforward panelled construction. Alternative type with spindles dowelled into upper and lower framework. For brass and iron, see p. 28.
Humblest cradles could have simple chip-carving with lozenges, or more complex designs (see CHESTS, P. 82). Occasionally simple inlay of flowers or geometric borders.
Grandest had additional painted or gilt decoration of which traces may still be visible. Many were carved with initials and a date. This could be details of a birth, but sometimes the initials of the reigning monarch. Not a reliable method of dating as cradles were usually family heirlooms and the date could refer to a later occupant. Many spurious dates were added in the 19thC to fake authenticity.
Polish. Japanning on cast iron, often to simulate wood or bronze. Paint began to be a feature of cots around 1900.
VALUES
Despite their age and charm, not very valuable objects, the majority (of all types) being priced in three figures, many at the lower end of the scale. While their usefulness for their intended purpose may be short-lived, they make very good jardinieres.
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Tags: brass, bun feet, bureau, bureaux, chest, chests of drawers, cupboard, Desks, drawer fronts, Drawers, iron, mahogany, mirror glass, ormolu, Queen Victoria, secret compartment, swing, Value