Bureau, 19th Century, English, Regency, Mahogany, Secret Drawers, Gallery

The top in three sections, each made from one piece of solid timber with flame figuring 2 cm., 0.75 in thick. The hinges original. The frieze plain. Standing on elegant tapering legs...

AN EXCEPTIONAL MUSEUM QUALITY, ITALIAN, RENAISANCE WALNUT CASSETTONE WITH A FITTED BUREAU IN THE UPPER PART & EXCEPTIONAL BAMBOCCI CARVING, LOMBARDY - This exceptionally rare, museum quality, piece of early furniture was conceived and crafted as an artwork of the finest quality of its time. Throughout time it has been a luxurious, statement piece which has protected it, and fortunately it has survived in virtually, original condition. - This magnificent cassettone exudes the character and quality of the finest, late-Renaissance furniture. Northern Italian Renaissance furniture often had the sides, legs or angles, 'a Bambocci', incorporating carved figures which were considered unique sculptures in their own right. - The putti on this cassettone are beautifully carved and of sculptural quality. Each angel has one arm raised to heaven, a poignant touch. - The lion’s paw feet are a classical feature and make a great statement. - This cassettone was conceived to have visual impact through the quality of the carving, as well as being very practical with the writing compartment fitted in the top part. - It has survived in very original condition with a few small repairs and losses, and the colour and patina are warm and lustrous. - This cassettone is illustrated Illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Lombardo, Milan, 1969, p. 45, one of the seminal works on Lombardy furniture, and has been in two renowned collections. The hinged top in two sections faced with a solid moulded edge. The front part has a fall front and opens to reveal a writing compartment. The fall front retains its original lock and is concealed with a false drawer which is above three drawers. All with moulded panels, escutcheons and retaining the original iron handles. The front ends have exceptional, bambocci, carved putti raising their arms to heaven above trailing foliage. Standing on magnificent lion's-head carved feet. The sides are panelled. Exceptional original colour and patina. Literature : Illustrated in C. Alberici, Il Mobile Lombardo, Milan, 1969, p. 45. A Gonzalez-Palacois, Il mobile in Liguria, Genova, 1996 illustrates related pieces Measures: Length 147 ½ cm. 58 in, height 104 cm. 41 in, depth 75 cm. 29½ in, Provenance: Coll. Private Azzate The Collection of Sandro and Lidia Orsi, Ca’ Mera, Varese. Regarded as one of the most beautiful homes in Lombardy, Ca’ Mera, the country house of Sandro and Lidia Orsi was filled with beautiful objects from many different epochs. A renowned antiquarian from Milan, over his lifetime Sandro and his wife Lidia revived the Renaissance and Baroque character of the house and instilled their own unique vision into the interiors, which culminated with the creation of a Kunst – or Wunderkammer. “I have never seen such an example of poetical taste”, Sir John Pope...

I have never seen a desk like this before, it is really quirky, a great conversation piece. Tan leather top with gold leaf embossed tooling surrounded by crossbanding. The frieze wi...

Unusual small size Striking with the combination of richly coloured mahogany and brass The veneers on this chest are exceptional, creating the effect of pools of ripples moving down ...

A rare, late-17th century / early-18th century, fall front bureau with gilded Chinoiserie Japanning & faux tortoishell ground. “Before Japan was made in England, the imitation of tortoise-shell was much in request for cabinets, tables and the like“. John Stalker and George Parker, a treatise on Japanning and varnishing (originally published in 1668), Alec Tiranti, 1998, p. 75. - This bureau is decorated in one of the most fashionable styles of the Baroque period, Chinese lacquer with gilded decoration and tortoiseshell imitation ground and would have been a statement piece within the interior. - The colours, which have become muted from atmospheric conditions over time, are still striking and colourful evoking warm and richness. - It has come from a private collection where it has reputedly been for many generations which explains why it is in such original condition retaining the original hinges, lock and catches. - Pieces of imitation tortoishell with gilded lacquer decoration are rare, the last piece I handled was a chest of drawers about 20 years ago. - Tortoishell furniture was only affordable by royalty and the elite and the height of fashion in the 17th century, as was producing things that were not what they seemed. One of the oldest examples of faux material from the Baroque period is at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen where, in 1667, the royal bed...

A large, museum quality, 18th century, German, oak bureau bookcase with a serpentine front, original brassware and working locks As fine an example of this model of German cabinet f...

A good quality Regency rosewood davenport, the top inset with an antique leather, opening to reveal storage space and a single drawer. Below this there are four graduated drawers, ea...

This is a beautifully articulated and unusual English Regency mahogany chiffonier secretaire. The top section containing two shelves with round b...

19th century English mahogany pedestal desk. (Light honey color to mahogany).

Period early 19th century Regency Mahogany Partners desk. Drawers on both sides. Great proportion. Excellent quality...

English regency cylinder desk. A very nice quality cylinder desk. Raised upon stylised bracket feet. 19th century Featuring 3 graduated oak lined drawers. The whole of the desk ...

For sale is a good quality George III mahogany bureau bookcase. Having two glazed doors in the top, both opening to reveal adjustable shelves. Below this is the bureau section, with ...