Antique Tables: English and French Oak, Mahogany and Walnut Antique Sofa, Gateleg, Writing Tables and Desks

AN OAK “CREDENCE” OR FOLDING TABLE with semi-circular hinged top, the
moulded frieze with a drawer and broad canted corners, the frame raised on four baluster legs joined by a platform stretcher, and with a baluster-shaped gateleg back support, 2ft 7in. high by 3ft. wide (78cm. by 103cm.) circa 1640, reconstructed.

A CHARLES II OAK TABLE with a moulded plank top, the frieze with a drawer and raised on ball-turned legs and stretchers, 2ft. 6in.

A CHARLES II OAK SIDE TABLE with cleated two-plank top, the frieze with a two
panelied drawer veneered in fruitwood on turned baluster legs of exaggerated form joined
by moulded stretchers, 2ft. 4V2in. high by 2ft. wide (72cm. by 90cm.) circa 1675, feet
and cleats restored.

A CHARLES II OVAL OAK GATELEG TABLE,
by a moulded flat stretcher, the gates with simple waved upnghts.

A RARE WILLIAM AND MARY CEDARWOOD TRIANGULAR TABLE, the triangular top
with three flaps with spring supports and opening to form a hexagonal top, raised on three
turned legs joined by similar stretchers, 2ft. 3′/2in. high by 2ft. 21hin. open (69cm. by 67cm.)
circa 1690, tip of one flap missing.

A RARE WILLIAM AND MARY OAK DINING TABLE, four hinged curved fiaps supported on
baluster legs joined by a moulded oval stretcher and massive.

AN OCTAGONAL OAK “CRICKET” TABLE with plank top, the moulded frieze and three
turned legs joined by a triangular shelf and three stretchers, 2ft. 6in. wide (76cm.) late-17th
Century, restored.

A GOOD OAK REFECTORY TABLE
with massive four-plank top and simple shaped walnut end supports
joined by a long bar, 2ft. 5in. high by 8ft. long by 3ft. 3in. wide (74cm. by 273cm. by 99cm.) partly constructed from I8th Century wood.

AN EARLY 18TH CENTURY REFECTORY TABLE in walnut and oak, the four plank
top on piain trestle end supports with piain stretcher and feet, 5ft. Hin. long by 2ft. 8V2in.
deep (180cm. by 82cm.) circa 1720.

A FINE PAIR OF GEORGE I LABURNUMWOOD-VENEERED CONCERT-ACTION CARD
TABLES, each quarter-veneered top with a crossbanding and projecting rounded corners,
the baize-lined interior with counter wells and candie-stands, the conforming frieze raised
on turned legs headed by piain lappets and ending in pad feet, 2ft. Win. wide (86cm.) circa
1720.

A FINE PAIR OF QUEEN ANNE BURR-WALNUT SEMI-ELLIPTICAL GAMES TABLES each
in well figured wood, each top with a moulded edge, a chevron banding and a broad
crossbanding, one with a velvet-lined interior crossbanded in walnut, the other with a
walnut-veneered interior crossbanded in oak, each plain frieze with a small chevron-
banded drawer at each side below a slide and raised on four simple cabriole legs with pad
feet, 2ft. 4in. high by 2ft. 6вОО. wide (71cm. by 77cm.) circa 1710.

A FINE GEORGE III PENWORK-DECORATED PEMBROKE TABLE in the French style,
the serpentine top with a central chinoiserie design of figures with a parasol and a child
within a broad floral border and an outer white border, the frieze with a chinoiserie
design, ivory knobs and a drawer surrounded by fruiting vines, the slender cabriole legs
headed by carved husks and decorated with fruiting vines, with brass castors, 2ft. 6in. long
by 3ft. ‘Ain. open (76cm. by 92cm.) circa 1780.

A FINE GEORGE III OVAL MAHOGANY PEMBROKE TABLE
in the French style, the flame-figured moulded top with a
narrow crossbanding, the bowed frieze with a drawer and raised on slender moulded cabriole legs headed by a fluted trumpet hung with a husk and with circular flowerhead brackets.

A GEORGE III OVAL MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY URN TABLE, the galleried top
with satinwood banding engraved and stained with entwined leaves enclosing flowerheads
and with a narrow tulipwood outer banding, the frieze with a small slide and raised on
Square tapering legs headed by trailing garrya husks and a circular patera, 2ft. VMn. high
by lft. 2′/2in. wide (65cm. by 37cm.) circa 1780.

A FINE GEORGE II OCTAGONAL MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE, the gallery pierced with
Chinese fretwork and each side joining at the corner in a scroll, supported on a leaf-carved
trumpet and three tall inscrolled Supports carved with leaves and ending in bold scrolls,
2ft. 6in. high by lft. 8V4in. wide (76cm. by 51.5cm.) circa 1750.

A LATE 18TH CENTURY CHINESE LACQUER KNEEHOLE DRESSING OR WRITING
TABLE of slightly inverted breakfront form, the moulded top inset with a panel of gilt-
tooled green leather and with a frieze drawer and six short drawers flanking a recess with
three drawers, on bracket feet, decorated throughout with buildings and trees in gilt on
black, 2ft. 73Ain. high by 3ft. 8′Mn. wide (80cm. by 113cm.) late 18th Century, decoration
renewed, later top.

A GEORGE III SMALL MAHOGANY PEMBROKE TABLE, the top with a narrow
crossbanding and rounded corners with a frieze drawer and square tapering legs with
castors, 2ft. 33Ain. open (70.5cm.) circa 1780.

A FINE GEORGE III SATINWOOD MARQUETRY D-SHAPED SIDE TABLE, the top with
a swirling scrollwork hung with chains of flowers and with a giant shell medallion within
a main harewood border of ribbon meandering round seed pods and with two narrow
tulipwood crossbandings, the frieze and four square tapering legs inlaid with chains of
leaves with narrow kingwood crossbanding, 2ft. 7′Ain. high by 4ft. 6lAin. wide (79cm. by
138cm.) circa 1775.

A GOOD GEORGE III MAHOGANY TWO-PEDESTAL DINING TABLE with two extra
leaves, each hinged end with rounded corners and raised on a plain pillar and four canted
reeded sabre legs with plain brass toes and castors, 4ft. wide by lOft. 8in. long fully extended
(122cm. by 325cm.) circa 1800.

A REGENCY JAPANNED PEDESTAL TABLE, the hinged rectangular top with broad
canted corners and a chinoiserie scene in gilt with a woman seated by a table and a
fisherman walking towards a boat, on ebonised obelisk support and concave triangular
base, 2ft. 5′Ain. high by lft. 6in. wide (74cm. by 46cm.) circa 1810.

A REGENCY MAHOGANY FOLDING COACHING TABLE with hinged top and waved X-shaped
supports joined by turned stretchers, 3ft. Van. open (92cm.) circa 1815.

A LATE GEORGE III MAHOGANY KNEEHOLE WRITING TABLE
with a central frieze drawer above an arch flanked
to each skie by three drawers and a deep drawer resemble two drawers,
on a plain plinth base, ail the drawers painted (76cm. by 132.5cm.) 1810.

A PAIR OF OVAL TWO-TIER ETAGERE TABLES, each with a gilt-stamped black
leather-lined shelf on four pillars with pineapple finials and brass castors, 2ft. lin. high by
lft. 9lhin. long (63.5cm. by 54.5cm.).

A PAIR OF THREE-TIER ETAGERE TABLES of square shape, veneered in rosewood
and with gilt-brass column corners, with bail finials and castors, square (36cm )
19th Century.

A TWO-TIER ETAGERE TABLE,
each rectangular shelf veneered in rosewood with gilt-brass
border and gilt-brass circular legs and castors, lft. 8in. high by 2ft.

A LATE GEORGE III MAHOGANY SMALL TABLE, the top with rounded corners
above two drawers, the lower one panelled to resemble two drawers, on slender ringed
legs with castors, lft. 6′Ain. wide (46.5cm.) circa 1805.

A NEST OF THREE REGENCY ROSEWOOD TABLES, each on a pair of twist-ringed
pillars with downcurved legs joined by a straight stretcher.

AN IVORY-INLAID KINGWOOD-VENEERED TABLE
CABINET, the hinged lid and sides veneered with a brick
design with ivory ‘mortar’, the architectural front with
an arrangement of six short drawers flanking a dummy
drawer and a cupboard enclosing three long drawers,
the whole of the front inlaid with a eut ivory scrollwork,
lft. 5V4In. high by wide (44cm. by 75cm.) mid-
17th Century, probably Spanish.

A DUTCH MARQUETRY CENTRE TABLE, the top
inlaid with an oval set with flower vases flanked by
birds, within burr-walnut and maple crossbanding within
floral spandrels and a floral border above a similarly
inlaid frieze drawer, on square tapering legs ending in
blocks and joined by a concave X-stretcher, on later bun
feet, 2ft. 4lhin. high by 3ft. 7′Mn. wide (73cm. by 110cm.)
late 17th/early 18th Century.

A GILTWOOD SERPENTINE FRONTED CONSOLE TABLE
with a pierced C-scroll and acanthus leaf-carved apron
centred by a shell, on elaborately carved cabriole legs
hung with floral garlands and joined by an asymmetrical
pierced C-scroll and S-scroll stretcher with a grey marble
top, 2ft. 8in. high by 3ft. 9lMn. wide (81cm. by 116cm.)
circa 1750, probably German.

A DUTCH WALNUT MARQUETRY TRIPOD TABLE, the circular
hinged top inlaid with a flower vase within a scrolling garland,
on a ring-turned baluster stem and downcurved cabriole legs, 2ft. 5lhin.
high by 2ft. 4V2in. diam. (75cm. by 72.5cm.) mid-18th Century.

A DUTCH MARQUETRY CARD TABLE, the triangular
baize-lined top and frieze with chevron bandings and
boxwood stringing, with a vase of flowers above a
bearded mask, on four tapering legs with inlaid bands of
lighter wood, 2ft. 4′/2in. high by 4ft. lin. wide (72cm. by
124.5cm.) circa 1790.

A BIEDERMEIER FRUITWOOD SMALL TABLE with a
drawer and square tapering legs, 2ft. high by lft. Hin.
wide (61cm. by 58cm.) circa 1830.

A BIEDERMEIER FRUITWOOD JARDINIERE TABLE
with panelled frieze and square tapering legs, 2ft. wide
(73cm.) circa 1830.

A LATE GEORGE II MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE, with
moulded top and frieze drawer, on square chamfered
legs, 2ft. 4′/2in. high by 3ft. wide (72cm. by 93cm.)
circa 1760.

AN EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE,
with brass gallery, plain frieze, with square chamfered
legs headed by pierced fluted brackets, 2ft. Hin. high by
6ft. wide (89cm. by 183cm.).

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TOILET TABLE, with a
rising adjustable mirror and a divided hinged top
enclosing apertures for fitments with a cupboard and
square chamfered legs joined by a concave platform,
lft. 4in. wide (41cm.) circa 1770.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY EXTENDING DINING TABLE,
with a pair of leaves, each D-shaped end raised on four
square tapering legs, 4ft. wide by 8ft. 2in. fully extended
(122cm. by 249cm.) circa 1780, with restoration.

HOLE DESK OR DRESSING TABLE, of triple bow-front
form, the top with reeded edge, three frieze drawers and
each pedestal with a bowed door enclosing tray shelves
on a phnth base, 2ft. 4′Mn. high by 4ft. min. wide (72cm
by 138cm.) circa 1800.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE-TOP CARD TABLE,
on square tapering legs and block feet, 2ft.
high by 2ft. 7in. wide (74.5cm. by 79cm.) circa 1780.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE with semi-
circular top and panelled tapering legs, 2ft. 103Ain. high
by 4ft. 3in. wide (88cm. by 129cm.) circa 1785, the frieze
now containing a drawer.

A REGENCY MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE, the
rectangular hinged top on slender ring-turned baluster
stem and reeded downeurved legs ending in bun feet,
2ft. 3′hin. high by 2ft. lin. wide (70cm. by 63cm.)
circa 1805.

A LATE GEORGE III MAHOGANY WRITING DESK
with a tambour front enclosing a fitted interior and
writing slide above a pair of frieze drawers on square,
tapering, fluted and stop-fluted legs, 3ft. 5in. high by 3ft.
‘hin. wide (104cm. by 93cm.) circa 1790.

A REGENCY BREAKFAST TABLE, the rectangular hinged top with
reeded edge on a ring-turned baluster stem and reeded sabre
legs ending in brass castors, 2ft. 4in. high by 4ft. wide (71cm. by 150cm.) circa 1820.

A PAIR OF GEORGE III MAHOGANY GAMES TABLES,
the rectangular tops with reeded borders and deep
chamfered corners, the friezes inlaid with stringing and
raised on turned tapering legs, 2ft. 5′hin. high by 2ft.
ll3Ain. (75cm. by 91cm.) circa 1800, one with Upper
section of top replaced.

A FINE GEORGE III MAHOGANY THREE-PEDESTAL
DINING TABLE, each pedestal with a vase-shaped stem
and downcurved legs ending in brass castors, 2ft. 4in.
high by 8ft. Hin. long by 4ft.deep (71cm. by 274cm.
by 136cm.) circa 1800.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TWO PEDESTAL DINING
TABLE, with rounded square ends on nng-turned
baluster and reeded sabre legs, ending in brass.castors
2ft. 5in. high by 6f, Win. long by
209cm. by 122cm.) circa 1815.

A REGENCY MAHOGANY SOFA TABLE, the top
crossbanded in satinwood and inlaid with boxwood
stringing with two real opposing two dummy drawers,
and with D-shaped flaps, on trestle supports joined by
an arched stretcher, 2ft. 5in. high by 5ft. lin. wide (74cm.
by 155cm.) circa 1805.

A LATE GEORGE III ROSEWOOD SOFA TABLE, with
two frieze drawers in one side, on a ring-turned baluster
stem carved with lotus leaves and down-curved sabre
legs, ending in downcurved feet and castors, the whole
inlaid with brass stringing, 2ft. 4in. high by 5ft. ‘Mn. wide
(71cm. by 153cm.) circa 1815.

A REGENCY MAHOGANY SOFA TABLE, with
D-shaped flaps crossbanded in satinwood, the frieze
with one real and one dummy drawer on lyre-shaped
scrolling supports and sabre legs joined by an arched
stretcher, 2ft. 6in. high by 5ft. o’frin. wide (76cm. by
169cm.) circa 1815.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SOFA TABLE, with
D-shaped flaps and one real and one dummy drawer in
the frieze on trestle supports, joined by a ring-turned
stretcher on moulded sabre legs ending in brass castors,
2ft. 4in. high by 5ft. VMn. wide (71cm. by 156cm.)
circa 1810.

A PAIR OF GEORGE IV MAHOGANY CARD TABLES,
with canted corners and swivelling tops, raised on four
turned pillars, a platform and canted sabre legs, inlaid
throughout with a pale wood stringing, 2ft. Hin. zoide
(89cm.).

A WILLIAM IV ROSEWOOD CENTRE BREAKFAST
TABLE, the circular top with a beaded edge on a triangular
pillar and moulded beaded base and concave platform,
on moulded ball feet, 2ft. in. high by 4ft. 3′/2in.
diameter (72cm. by 130cm.) circa 1830.

A WILLIAM IV ROSEWOOD-VENEERED WORK TABLE,
with rounded corners, frieze drawer above a U-shaped
back support with turned pillar and coneave rectangular
base with bun feet, 2ft. 4in. high by 2ft. Hin. open (71cm.
by 89cm.) circa 1835.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SEMI-CIRCULAR CARD TABLE
with a baize-lined interior, crossbanded in satinwood, on
square tapering legs ending in block feet, 2ft. 5in. high by 3ft.
wide (74cm. by 91.5cm.) circa 1790.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE with
crossbanded top and a hinged flap panelled to resemble
two long drawers, with a curved apron and square
tapering legs ending in spade feet, the whole inlaid with
ebony stringing, 2ft. high by 2ft. 4in. wide (80cm.
by 71cm.) circa 1790.

A GEORGE III PROVINCIAL MAHOGANY DRESSING
TABLE, the rectangular top with adjustable dressing
mirror on ratchet support, with two long and two short
drawers round a kneehole, on square tapering legs and
brass castors, 2ft. lO’hin. high by 2ft. 9′/2in. wide (87cm.
by 85cm.) circa 1800.

A REGENCY MAHOGANY CARD TABLE, the hinged
top crossbanded in rosewood, with a beaded frieze and
spirally ringed baluster stem on a concave platform
stretcher and hipped sabre legs ending in lion-paw
castors, 2ft. 5V2in. high by 3ft.wide (75cm. by 92cm.)
circa 1815.

A GEORGE IV CIRCULAR MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE
of George II style, with hinged top, baluster stem and
plain cabriole legs with pointed pad feet, 2ft. 4in. high by 2ft. 6in.
diameter (71cm. by 76cm.) circa 1820.

AN EBONISED PARCEL-GILT REGENCY CHEVERET
TABLE, the superstructure with a brass three-quarters
gallery above a pair of grille-filled doors flanked by lotus-
carved baluster columns, the frieze decorated with an
olive leaf motif centred by a rosette, on ringed tapering
legs joined by a platform stretcher, 3ft. 9in. high by 2ft.
wide (114cm. by 61cm.) circa 1815.

A LATE GEORGE III MAHOGANY PEDESTAL PEMBROKE
TABLE, the rectangular top with rounded corners, with
a frieze drawer and central reeded column on four
moulded legs, 2ft. 4in. high by 2ft.wide
(71cm. by 90cm.) circa 1820.

A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY CARD TABLE,
with a hinged swivelling top enclosing a well, supported
on two ring-turned columns and a concave platform with hipped sabre
legs and brass castors, 2ft. 4V2in. high by 2ft. 11in. wide (72cm. by 90.5cm.) circa 1825.

A LATE GEORGE III MAHOGANY BREAKFAST TABLE,
the circular top with turned column and four legs, 2ft. 5in.
high by 4ft. 3in. diameter (74cm. by 130cm.) circa 1815, originally
part of a pedestal dining table.

A WILLIAM IV GILTWOOD SIDE TABLE,
with verde antico marble top and a pair of massive
foliate scroll supports, resting on a rosewood-veneered base with
giltwood egg and dart moulding and a mirrored backboard, 3ft. 3in.
high by 4ft. 8in. wide (99cm. by 142cm.) circa 1830, distressed and gold painted.

A WILLIAM IV ROSEWOOD TRESTLE TABLE, the
rectangular top with rounded corners and inlaid with a
satinwood band, with a drawer in the frieze and simple
trestle Supports, 2ft. high by 2ft. 4in. wide (70cm.
by 71cm.) circa 1830.

A WILLIAM IV ROSEWOOD BREAKFAST TABLE, the
circular top with a gadrooned border, the hexagonal
stem with concave-sided triangular base on gadrooned
feet, 2ft. 5′/2in. high by 4ft. 6in. wide (75cm. by 137cm.)
circa 1835.

A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY TEA OR GAMES TABLE,
the rectangular hinged top with a beaded edge, on
columnar lotus-leaf carved pedestal and concave
platform stretcher on reeded bun feet, 2ft. high by
3ft. wide (75cm. by 91.5cm.) circa 1830.

A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY GAMES TABLE, the top
with a central sliding panel enclosing a backgammon well
and reversing to form a chessboard, with two drawers
flanking an arch with a dummy drawer, on piain trestle
supports, 2ft. high by 2ft. Hin. wide (77cm. by
89cm.) circa 1830.

A FLEMISH PARQUETRY SIDE TABLE,
the rectangular top with concentric oyster-veneered
circles in olivewood with hollywood stringing, a drawer
in the frieze and turned legs joined by wavy stretchers, 2ft. 6in. high by 3ft. wide (76cm. by 95cm.)
circa 1700, legs and stretchers replaced.

A GEORGE I WALNUT TABLE, with a moulded mottled pale
apricot-coloured top and rounded corners, the frieze with a
drawer at each end, the turned legs with lappets and pad feet, 2ft.
5in. high by 2ft. 8in. long (74cm. by 81cm.) circa 1725, marble modern.

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Antique French and Italian Desks (1715-1770)
Louis XV kingwood bureau plat with serpentine top.
In France, about 1715, the bureau-Mazarin with eight legs and banks of drawers is replaced, probably by Boulle, with the bureau plat (flat-topped writing-table) on four cabriole legs with only three drawers set in line in the frieze, the centre one slightly recessed. Veneers are protected, especially on outside angles of legs, with ormolu mounts. By 1750, bureau plat in fully developed Louis XV style is an assembly of flowing curves, sometimes without drawers in frieze to detract from its elegance, sometimes with cartonnier
(separate, matching rack of shelves for documents) placed at end next to wall. Flowing lines followed in solid French provincial and Swiss versions.
About 1760, the secretaire-a-capucin (or a-la-Bourgogne) is made by Vandercruse and others; a small table on cabriole legs when closed, but when folding top is extended, a mechanism releases a bank of drawers. The bonheur-du-jour is also a lady’s desk, but with Louis W kingwood and parquetry bureau de dame.
bank of drawers and/or pigeonholes permanently in position. The bureau-de-dame is on cabriole legs and in its early form has a sloped fall, modified by Oeben who replaces it with a tambour composed of slats glued to fabric and running in curved grooves. He invents cylinder-top desk for Louis XV – solid, curved lid moving in grooves – unfinished on Oeben’s death in 1763 and completed by Riesener, 1769; considered finest piece of French 18thC furniture extant.
The secretaire-a-abattant is a revival of late-17thC secretaire with vertical fall, but carcase often has bombe curves. Rococo curves become less marked during transitional period in 1760s, when royal mistresses, de Pompadour and (later) du Barry help steer court taste in direction of neo-classicism.
German birch bureau-cabinet, mid-18th century.
In Germany, the bureau-cabinet remains favourite form of desk. Rococo decoration is applied to heavy, shaped carcases. In some, cabinet section has cabriole feet resting on top of bureau. Makers include Schnell in Dresden and Hermann of Bamberg, who also produces writing-table in French style about 1765 with tambour top. Lighter types of bureau without cabinet produced by Roentgen family at Neuwied. Danish and Finnish examples mostly follow German. In Holland, bureau-cabinet retains heavy baroque flavour with rococo touches; base has boldly canted corners, top of cabinet is often stepped to hold oriental vases. In Italy bureau-cabinet reaches dizzy heights of rococo extravagance, notably at hands of Piffeti, Turin. Simpler bureaux were made in Tuscany.
Northern Italian walnut bombe bureau, mid-18th century.
Sophisticated types: Exotic veneers, e.g. kingwood, tulipwood, citrus.
Provincial types: Solid cherry, walnut.
Bureau, bureau-cabinet: Basically as for previous period, but elaborate shaping of carcase in German examples achieved by ‘brick’ system – building up with small sections.
Bureau plat: Rails tenoned into tops of cabriole legs; top of sophisticated type framed up and fixed to rails with pegs and glue-blocks. Top of French provincial type made up with solid boards, tongued and grooved.
French: Delicate marquetry on fall of bureaude-dame and secretaire-a-abattant bureau plat more reliant on fine veneers and elaborate ormolu mounts; e.g. Cressent, cabinet-maker to Regent during minority of Louis XV, sets fashion for espagnolettes– mounts cast as busts of nymphs and fauns.
German and Italian: Elaborate carving and marquetry for bureau-cabinets; cresting on cabinet can be wildly asymmetrical. Best Dresden work has very fine ormolu mounts.
Veneers varnished, sanded down and waxed. German carving parcel-gilt – i.e. details gilded in contrast to woodwork. In Italy, painting with lacca; Venice specializes in lacca povera (lacca contrafatta) – prints by Bassano del Grappa of Remondini, glued to coloured ground and varnished.
Ostentatious pieces bring very high prices and demand handsome settings. Best buy is probably French provincial bureau plat in cherry or walnut.
Principal maker of bureau-cabinets in mid-18thC Copenhagen was Ortmann, who numbered all his products and pasted a trade label inside. Some were disposed of as prizes in lotteries, and could turn up anywhere.
Finnish oak bureau-cabinet, mid-18thC.

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ANTIQUE ENGLISH BUREAUX

Before antique bureaux in the Middle Ages many small portable oak desks were made consisting of a simple box with sloping hinged lid on which the owner could write and keep his papers inside. Towards the end of the 17th century this form of desk appears to have been also made on a stand and our two first illustrations show clearly the desk form, overlapping the drawers added beneath and raised on legs which were either made in tapering or turned form. This type of bureau is also seen in the Queen Anne period raised on cabriole legs.
However, the usefulness of including drawer storage space beneath the desk could notbe ignored and the fall-front bureau with drawers beneath appeared also at the end of the 17th century. In some early examples the desk section still also overlaps the drawers beneath, but this soon gave way to the straight type with perhaps a moulding under the desk section to mark the transition. Bureaux of this now conventional type continued to be made, first in walnut,then in ma-. hogany, throughout the 18th century, many in country towns, and reflecting the changing styles of the period.
Bureau-Bookcases also appeared at the end of the 17th century and continued the same development but with leanings towards bookcase styles. The increased height of rooms led to a demand for them. Early bookcases above bureaux either had solid doors or were glazed with Vauxhall glass mirrors, bevelled and, in the finer specimens, engraved.
Value Points
Early walnut bureaux on stands of the type illustrated in our first two examples have now become so rare that little can be said on the subject of value points except that the originality of the legs and stretchers is all-important and makes the difference between the prices shown and less than one half of them.
For bureaux generally however the following value points apply:-1680 - 1740 - The Walnut Period
1. Quality and figure of veneers, colour and patination …
2. Structural condition and originality
3. Herring-bone inlays and cross banding
4. Stringing and other inlays
5. Marquetry
6. Original brass handles and keyhole plates
7. Original Bun or bracket feet
8. Colour (faded) and quality of crossgrained mouldings
9. Size: Width 3′ 0″ or under  Width 2′ 9″ or under - Width 2′ 6″ or under
10. Interior stepped
11. Well
12. Oak drawer linings
For oak and fruitwood examples of this period, value points also apply with particular reference to size, plus the following:-
Choice of figured woods, colour and patination  Quality of mouldings
1730 onwards - The Mahogany Period
It should be remembered that mahogany and walnut periods overlapped each other for about ten years from 1730-1740 and possibly longer. Value points for mahogany bureaux are:-
Quality and choice of figured wood, colour (faded or rich Spanish mahogany) and patination
Structural condition and originality
Original brass handles and keyhole plates
Size:- Width 3′ 0″ or under
Width 2′ 9″ or under
Width 2′ 6″ or under
Interior arrangement
Oak drawer linings  (Normal with good mahogany pieces) Quality of mouldings
Original bracket feet
For oak and fruitwood examples of the period the above points also apply.

A William and Mary period - c. 1690 - walnut bureau of great quality. The tapering octagonal section solid walnut legs terminate in bun feet and the flat, shaped stretcher is also veneered in walnut. The arched shaping of the frieze with its small edge moulding, like a cock bead, is a fine example of the period. The fall front is cross banded and has a herring-bone inlaydividing it into three veneered panels with a cross-grained band between. The drawers are also herring-bone cross banded and there is a double ‘D’ moulding on the carcase edge around them. Note the book or bible-rest moulding on the bottom edge of the fall.
Price Range: E1,500-E2,000
Value points: Original legs and stretchers

William and Mary walnut veneered walnut bureau with solid walnut octagonal tapering legs. c. 1690. The X shaped stretcher is a feature found on tables of the period also, as are the bun feet. The fall front has a herring-bone inlay and cross banding. A half-round or D moulding covers the front edges of the carcase around the drawer fronts, which are herring-bone cross banded.
Price Range: $1, 500-$2,500
Value points: Original legs and stretchers
This is a delightfully small piece of furniture and hence its dimensions add greatly to its value.

An oak bureau of c. 1680 in which the union of the oak desk and a chest of drawers to make one piece of furniture is evident. A moulding still continues round the bottom of the desk section, even round the sides, and above the top drawer. The swan-neck handles are a later addition. The piece has the book or bible-rest moulding on the fall. The mouldings around the drawers and the division of the drawer fronts into panelled halves with a narrow raised centre panel is another contemporary feature which may be seen in the chest section of this book. The bun feet are also probably an original feature although, like the chests, some pieces had feet formed by the continuation of the carcase frame to the floor.
Price Range: $130-$150
Value points: Qualityof mouldings

A walnut bureau of c. 1690, the refined high quality version of the preceding example, made some years later. The style and origin are clear, even to the retention of the moulding around the base of the ‘desk’ section even though unnecessary structurally. The fall is divided into four beautifully matched sections of veneer, with a herring-bone cross banding and this effect is repeated on the drawer fronts. There is a double ‘D’ moulding on the carcase edges around the drawers. The heavy bracket feet are probably original but the handles and escutcheons area later replacement.
Price Range: $400-$500
Value points: Quality of decoration

Another walnut bureau of William and Mary period - c. 1700 - this time open to show the stepped interior with fine concave drawer fronts. The pillars on either side of the centre drawer and pigeon hole can often be withdrawn as a ’secret’ slender vertical drawer. There is a well in the centre interior reached by sliding the surface section in the centre back under the centre drawers. A cross-banded division on the side of the bureau is all that remains of the moulding dividing desk and drawers on the previous examples. The piece againexhibits herring-bone cross bandingaround the drawers and double ‘D’ moulding. The bracket feet, brass handles and escutcheons are probably original.
Price Range: $400-$500
Value points: See section notes

A country bureau in solid walnut of c. 1710. The interior shows the earlier William and Mary influence in the stepped concave drawers and well, The shaped aprons over the pigeon holes are also typical. The exterior drawers and outside of the fall are cross banded in walnut or fruitwood. The handles are not original and the bracket feet have been repaired. The drawers are pine lined.
Price Range: $100-$150
Value points: Quality of workmanship A, e, approximation to contemporary town craftsmanship

Country walnut (solid) bureau of c. 1710 again showing William and Mary period influence in the stepped interior, but which is simpler and less refined than the previous example. The stepped drawers for instance are not concave. There is a well and the exterior drawers are again cross banded in walnut or fruitwood.
Price Range: $I20
Value points: See section notes

A walnut bureau of c. 1725-30 showing the interior, where the stepped design of the William and Mary period has given way to the Georgian straight interior with its corresponding loss of charm. The centre door is flanked by pillars with secret drawers. The interior and exterior drawers are inlaid with boxwood and ebony stringing. The carcase fronts around the drawers are flat veneered and the drawer edges have a ‘lip’ ovolo moulding. There is no interior well; a shallow drawer under the fall occupies this space.
Price Range: $325-$375 Value points: See section notes

An oak bureau of c. 1740 with an unusual drawer arrangement in that there is a long drawer under the fall, thus ensuring that no interior well can be made, and subsequently the normal two short drawers and two long ones. The drawers have an ovolo lip moulding around the edge. The front surfaces of the piece are in fairly straight grained oak without the snaking medullary rays which tend to detract from the surface appearance of the wood. The simple bottom edge moulding and bold bracket feet are typical of country construction.
Price Range: This is a smaller bureau - some 2′ 9″ wide - and therefore price would be affected. E140-P-170

Another oak bureau of mid-18th century date which provides an interesting comparison with the preceding example. The four long drawers are well graduated and have cock beaded edges. The fall, however, is not made of one piece but is of a type often seen in mahogany construction, with a large centre section bounded by two edge pieces with vertical grain running at 90 degrees to thehorizontal main section and with mitre joints at the top corners*. The fall shows medullary rays in profusion. At the base the bracket feet are flush with the faces of the main carcase and a reeded moulding has been applied round the bottom edge.
Price Range: $120-$150 (This is also 2′9″ wide) Value points: See section notes
*Apart from a decorative effect, the purpose of this is in order to have edge mouldings running along the grain instead of across it.

A mahogany bureau of c. 1745 in a dark Spanish or Cuban variety of the wood which was the first type introduced. The later Honduras wood was lighter in weight and colour. The high bold bracket feet and simple proportions belie the much later ring handle replacements on the drawers. The original handles would have been much more in the style of the keyhole plates; in fact the escutcheons or back plates of the handles would have been almost exactly the same. Note the vertical grained veneering of the flat carcase fronts between the drawers and the plain vertically grained veneered sides.
Price Range: $100-$150
Value points: See section notes

A typical mahogany bureau of the mid and later 18th century. The example illustrated here is perhaps a rather boldly wide one but as a type such bureaux, with cock beaded drawers, were made in large numbers in a variety of sizes throughout the epoch. The mahogany varies in figure and decoration from piece to piece but they are extremely durable and many survive in almost original condition. At present, with walnut and oak making all the running it could be that they are rather underpriced; the danger is that the larger ones tend to get converted into bureau-bookcases bythe addition of a suitable cabinet. Size is of course an all-important factor in such pieces.
Price Range : $80-$120
Value points: See section notes

The mid-18th century mahogany bureau of the previous example shown with the fall open. In this bureau the interior has not evolved greatly from earlier styles, being simple and straight fronted with shaped pigeon holes above the small drawers. The centre door is given a panelled effect and the overall style is bold and utilitarian as well as decorative. The centre interior well of the walnut styles has now completely disappeared and the top two short drawers slide immediately under the fall. The bracket feet are in solid mahogany with grain running horizontally as on the drawer fronts.
Price Range: $80-$120

An oak bureau of mid-18th century date with the fall decorated by an inlaid star pattern in boxwood and ebony. This example is unusual in that the front edges are inset with a fluted pillar. The drawers are cock beaded and their handles are not original, being in a later style. The original handles would have been in a shape more in keepingwith the keyhole plates.
Price Range: $65-$85
Value points: See section notes

The mid-18th century bureau of the preceding example shown with the fall open. The interior still owes much to earlier styles, with the outer pairs of drawers set forward from the line of the centre; they are not stepped vertically however. The inlaid star decoration and chequered panel line in boxwood and ebony on the centre door also owe their origin to earlier influences but the almost dentilled effect of the frieze under the top edge is of later inspiration. Note that the pillars of earlier designs on either side of the door have been replaced by a fluted surface.
Price Range: $65-$85

A small George III period mahogany bureau on serpentine bracket feet. This is a veneered piece, evidently because the wood is so finely figured and would have been wasteful to use in the solid. There is achequered stringing line around each cock beaded drawer and the fall, which are cross banded. The inside is fitted with pigeon holes and five drawers.
Price Range: $250-$300
Value points: Serpentine bracket feet

A later 18th century mahogany bureau with symmetrical veneers in a vertical grained figure. The interior is straight, with pigeon holes and drawers and the sides are of solid mahogany. In the later period the veneered pieces tended to be of better quality, usually lined in oak.
Price Range: $75-$100
Value points: See section notes

A late 18th century mahogany bureau on splayed feet with a shaped apron. The fall is cross banded and the drawers have a normal cock bead. Due to the angle of the photograph the bureau appears to be perched rather high on its legs but its proportion follows that of the chests of drawers of the same period.
Price Range: $60-$100
Value points: See section notes

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