Items Similar to Satinwood and Mahogany 18th Century Bureau Bookcase Attributable to Thomas Shear
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Satinwood and Mahogany 18th Century Bureau Bookcase Attributable to Thomas Shear
About the Item
An exceptional and remarkable late 18th century satinwood and mahogany cylinder bureau bookcase of outstanding quality and attributable to Thomas Shearer.
This magnificent bookcase is constructed to the highest standards of craftsmanship, with superbly executed open-fret swan-neck pediment and tear-drop cornice above a pair of gothic astragal glazed doors enclosing three adjustable shelves. the lower section with a star-burst-inlaid and cross-banded cylinder enclosing a writing surface which is accessed by pulling the integral lopers that simultaneously open the cylinder and pull the writing slope forwards. This sits above four long graduated drawers, cross-banded in mahogany and edged with fine ebony cock-beading, raised on shaped bracket feet.
The richly striking tones of the satinwood are cleverly highlighted by the contrasting darker mahogany detailing which is incorporated in the cornice, the astragals the cross-banding and the moulded lower divide above the feet. The beautiful marriage of the two woods is then further accentuated by incredibly fine cock-beaded edges to the door frames, cylinder and drawer edges.
The integral lopers are a very rarely seen feature on 18th century English furniture, but are illustrated in a design drawing for a bureau bookcase by Thomas Shearer in 1788 in his book "The Cabinet Maker's London Book of Prices and Designs of Cabinet Work" issued in 1788. Further well known details of Shearers designs are the tear-drop cornice, and particular shape of the feet which are seen on other pieces known to be his work. See: Plate 296 of "English Furniture Designs of the Eighteenth Century by Peter Ward Jackson.
Thomas Shearer (fl.?1788) was an 18th-century English furniture designer and cabinet-maker.
Shearer was a craftsman and the author of most of the plates in The Cabinet Maker's London Book of Prices and Designs of Cabinet Work, issued in 1788 "for the London Society of Cabinet Makers." The majority of these plates were republished separately as Designs for Household Furniture. They exhibit their author as a man with an eye at once for simplicity of design and delicacy of proportion; some of his pieces possess a dainty and slender elegance which were a high mark in the history of English furniture.
There can be little doubt that Shearer exercised considerable influence over George Hepplewhite, with whom there is reason to suppose that he was closely associated, while Thomas Sheraton has recorded his admiration for work which has often been attributed to others. Shearer, in his turn, owes something to the Adam brothers, and something, no doubt, to the stock designs of his predecessors.
There is every reason to suppose that he worked at his craft with his own hands and that he was literally a cabinet-maker—so far as we know, he never made chairs. Much of the elegance of Shearer's work is due to his graceful and reticent employment of inlays of satinwood and other foreign woods. But he was as successful in form as in decoration, and no man ever used the curve to better purpose.
- Dimensions:Height: 91.93 in (233.5 cm)Width: 36.03 in (91.5 cm)Depth: 21.46 in (54.5 cm)
- Style:Sheraton (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1790
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Folkestone, GB
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
1stDibs seller since 2022
13 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Folkestone, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Georgian Secretaire BookcaseLocated in Folkestone, GBA fine example of a late 18th century mahogany secretaire bookcase. Original handles and locks. The dentil cornice above attractively glazed, astragal-doors. The lower half with a double, fully fitted secretaire drawer and three further long drawers, all with original handles and standing on original, shaped bracket feet. A classical and elegant piece of traditional English country house furniture...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany
- Mid 18th Century Mahogany Side TableLocated in Folkestone, GBA fine quality George II period Cuban mahogany side table with single drawer below the moulded edge and standing of four well-drawn cabriole legs...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century European George II Side Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Set of satinwood and mahogany hanging waterfall bookshelvesLocated in Folkestone, GBAn especially fine and very rare set of beautiful Sheriton period hanging waterfall bookshelves the shaped West Indian satinwood veneeered sides crossbanded in rosewood and inlaid wi...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Shelves
MaterialsMahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
- Late 18th century oval gilt mirrorLocated in Folkestone, GBA superb 18th century oval gilt mirror with raised superstructure of a classical urn draped with tied husks, above foliate scrolls which continue down each side, ending in further tied tails of husks. Resting on a faux mantle...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Adam Style Wall Mirrors
MaterialsGiltwood
- Early 18th Century white painted overmantel/overmantle mirrorLocated in Folkestone, GBA good 18th century foliate carved three plate over-mantel mirror with carved scrolls, flowerheads and foliage. Originally gilded, now painted. Later glass.Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Mantel Mirrors and Firepla...
MaterialsWood
- Early 18th Century Black Japanned Trinket/Jewel BoxLocated in Folkestone, GBAn exceptionally rare early 17th century, James I/Charles I, black Japanned jewel box decorated with gold and red flowers and foliage. With a domed lid, o...Category
Antique Early 17th Century English Elizabethan Jewelry Boxes
MaterialsWood
You May Also Like
- 18th Century Sheraton Satinwood BookcaseLocated in London, GBA fine antique late 18th century Sheraton period satinwood secrétaire bookcase, crossbanded throughout and of attractive small proportions, havin...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany, Satinwood
- Mid-18th Century Mahogany Small Bureau BookcaseLocated in London, GBA mid-18th century well-figured mahogany Bureau bookcase of attractive small proportions having architectural dentil-moulded cornice above shaped mirrored door with original gilt-ges...Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany
- Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Bureau Bookcase CabinetLocated in Bedfordshire, GBA very attractive and good quality George III period mahogany bureau bookcase having unusual castellated and carved cornice above pair of 13 pane astragal glazed doors, superbly figured flap and four long drawers with replacement brass oval plate handles raised on original shaped bracket feet (A fine example of a functional and elegant Georgian bureau bookcase...Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany
- Georgian Mahogany Bureau Bookcase, England 18th Century and laterLocated in Atlanta, GAGeorgian Mahogany Bureau Bookcase, England 18th Century and laterCategory
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Bookcases
MaterialsMahogany
- 18th Century Venetian Bureau BookcaseLocated in London, GBThis is a fabulous antique Italian bureau bookcase, made in Venice, circa 1750. It has been made from the finest burr walnut with walnut cross...Category
Antique 1750s Italian Bookcases
MaterialsSatin, Mirror, Boxwood, Walnut
- 18th Century English Bureau BookcaseLocated in Leamington Spa, WarwickshireVery small late 18th C English painted oak bureau bookcase. 1780. Reference: 7382 Dimensions 34 inches (86 cms) Wide 19.5 inches (50 cms) Deep 82 inches (208 cms) High.Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
MaterialsOak
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
English Antique Furniture
18th Century English Furniture
18th Century English Antique Furniture
Nevers 18th Century
Thomas Brown London
Form And Surfaces Doors
Bureau Design
Brother Thomas
18th Century Bureau
High Bureau
Antique Record Case
Mahogany Bureau Antique Furniture
Mahogany Book Case
Star Cabinet
Antique Drawing Cabinet
Mahagony Book Storage
18th Century Swan
18th Century Wood Inlaid Cabinets