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51858
A Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase of a Magnificent Honey Colour This rare and distinctive example of the English
the upper case, making it appear narrower
desk-and-bookcase combines a restrained
than it really is. This is a trick commonly
but highly original design with exemplary
used by the makers of chests, but rarely
materials and workmanship. A great deal
found on desks-and-bookcases. The whole
of care has gone into the choice of primary
upper case sits within a crisp cavetto surbase
veneers, which are matched both horizontally
moulding whose small scale is typical of the
and vertically across the drawer fronts.
understated nature of this piece.
The layout of the desk interior follows a
In terms of attribution, there are three clear
typical English pattern, and is notable for
comparisons that may be made between our
its sophisticated simplicity. This is clearly a
bookcase and the work of John Belchier.
desk which was meant to be used.
The quality of the craftsmanship coupled with his reputation for selecting finely
The cornice – a shallow arch with horizontal
figured veneers are two indicators but the
wings – is a relatively common classical
particularly unusual feature of the stepped
form (it appears, for instance, in designs for
cornice, which he employed in a labelled
doorcases, fireplaces and windows published
example illustrated in C. Gilbert, Marked
by the architect James Gibbs in 1728).
London Furniture, provides us with a
However, the centre of the cornice breaks
striking similarity that we have not seen in
forward and upward, an unorthodox feature
pieces by other cabinet makers.
which adds greatly to the work and expense involved. This ‘break’ is followed exactly in
English Circa 1730
the mirrors below, again adding detail and
Width 43½” 110cm
expense to design.
Depth 22¼” 56.5cm Height 86½” 219cm
The canted fluted corners are perhaps the most unusual features of the whole object.
PROVENANCE
Their primary contribution, apart from
Apter-Fredericks, Ltd.
reinforcing the architectural appearance
Private collection, Long Island, USA. 2002
of the piece, is to reduce the visual mass of