British Cabinets

An 18th-century mahogany bureau cabinet of impressive architectural form and lovely rich color. George II period, circa 1740. The top surmounted by a bold architectural pediment and centered by a brass finial. The two arched panel doors reveal three adjustable shelves which have candle slides below them. Furthermore, the bureau section is fitted with a stepped interior. This has two secret compartments, drawers and pigeon holes, and the fall is conventionally supported on two lopers. Lined in the best quality English oak. The blind doors of this Georgian cabinet have well-figured mahogany panels of very good rich color which reflect beautifully in the candle light. The chamfered and arched doors display a further level of sophistication and quality. The beautifully-drawn arched pediment is in perfect proportion with the rest of the cabinet / bookcase. In excellent condition overall. Architectural furniture designs on the continent commenced with the arrival of the Renaissance, and they have their origins in Roman and Greek architecture. Nb. Bureau bookcases display books, china or silver behind glazed doors, but are described more accurately as bureau cabinets when they are fitted with blind doors. We often refer to antique bookcases / cabinets as ''secretary desks'' in the US. Information on pediments: 'Illustrated Dictionary...

A wonderful Georgian mahogany breakfront bookcase of small proportions with astragal glazed doors and broken architectural pediment cornice, 18th century. The upper part with origina...

An English Georgian mahogany secretary in three parts. The base opens to a hinged desk revealing a long shallow drawer above 2 short drawers on each side of...

This is an antique corner cabinet. An English, mahogany bow front hanging cupboard, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1780. Presents beautifully with delightful bow front form ...

George I cabinet with elevation English, in mahogany and partridge's eye 18th Century. Top with two interior doors with drawers, door and bins. Bottom with two drawers and two bi...

Georgian Mahogany collector's cabinet An 18th century Georgian mahogany three drawer collector's cabinet. The cabinet has a single box wood inlaid door with a working lock and ...

This is an antique corner cabinet. An English flame mahogany and boxwood inlaid wall cupboard, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1760. Distinctive corner cupboard graced with f...

An early-18th century Coromandel lacquer corner cupboard or cabinet. This is rare - high quality Coromandel lacquer work (incised decoration) - not to be confused with the usual English japanned versions. This is also referred to as Bantam work, originating in Bantam, Dutch East Indies, and China, for export to the European market. The subject matter is of a major pavilion with numerous courtiers - most unusual to see only females - it has been suggested that they may be concubines to a Mandarin. All of high quality and in the sought-after and refined chinoiserie taste. In very good unrestored state, retaining vibrant colours and all its original hardware. This is a chic antique, and makes a lovely chinoiserie drinks cabinet...

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and important, Museum quality, Regency Rosewood & Italian Marble sideboard of monumental pro...

17th century English oak cupboard. The cupboard has a dark stained oak patina with a raised panel design on each side. The cupboard doors ...

Rectangular top over a pair of paneled doors enclosing adjustable shelves, raised on turned feet and original casters. Provenance; Norman Adams Ltd. Londo...

A Very Attractive Mid 18th Century, Georgian Mahogany Bureau bookcase Of Very Attractive, Rare, Small Proportions, With Dental Cornice Above Shaped Mirror Door Within Gilded Slip, Ov...

George III Apothecary cabinet A George III mahogany apothecary cabinet. The box has a brass military late handle set in the top and comprises a pair of doors that open and have space for six bottles. The interior can hold four bottles and has two drawers, one for scales and the other to hold small bottles and other equipment. To the rear of the box is a locked compartment with a sliding door designed to hold four bottles which could have been poisonous. The box is in good condition but is missing some bottles. (Circa 1800...

This exquisite early 18th century bureau bookcase is finely crafted in the Queen Anne style with dramatic form and burled walnut veneered ...

Circa 1770. An English George III pine two tier corner cupboard with swan neck pediment, fitted four shaped shelves enclosed by two pairs of panelled doors...

Georgian Inlaid Mahogany Bureau A late 18th to early 19th century Georgian mahogany bureau with later marquetry, satinwood and box wood inlays. The bureau has four graduated oa...

- Particularly fine example with deep cushion and geometric mouldings. - Atmospheric piece with character - Secret drawers add intrigue A rare mid-17th century oak and cedar spi...

English Chippendale mahogany swan neck breakfront with a carved molded edge cornice, centered carved foliage fret work, patera inlaid floral medalli...

An exceptional English Sheraton period satinwood secretaire cabinet. Attributed to Gillows. Late-18th century, George III, ca 1790. Measures: H 59 1/2’’ (151 cm) W 30’’ (76 cm) D 19’’ (49 cm). This small, beautifully-proportioned, and sophisticated antique writing cabinet...

A fine, and rare, very closely-matched pair of late-17th century oyster walnut chests on stands. English, Charles II period, ca 1685. Both with f...

Georgian mahogany bedside cabinet A late 18th to early 19th century Georgian mahogany bedside cabinet. The cabinet has a left hand opening door and a tray shaped top with cut o...

Large trumeau supported by carved cantilever feet, in the lower body it has three drawers plus one of reduced dimensions flanked by two drawers to support the upper opening flap door and concealing...

Tallboy supported by carved shelf feet, in the lower body it has three drawers plus the same number in the upper body, surmounted by two other small side-by-side drawers; the upright...

A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire / secretary / bookcase / china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality. George III period, circa 1760. The bold, detachable, swan-neck pediment carved with 'Gothic' open fretwork, spiral rosettes and a dentil cornice. The pediment is centred by a small platform below which is a fluted panel. The bookcase / china cabinet section with two, thirteen-pane glazed doors, with three original adjustable shelves with applied beadings for the display of china etc. The base with a pull-out writing section fitted with small drawers, two of which have secret releases. These secret drawers are faced with blind-fret 'Gothic' tracery, and centred by a carved, shaped arch. The base with three cock-beaded drawers, and raised on its original bracket feet which are faced with blind fret. This fine, sophisticated and well-proportioned example of a secretaire / secretary / cabinet / desk / bookcase is remarkable for having survived in its original state including all swan-neck handles and locks. Of superb quality, color, patination, and well figured throughout. With mahogany drawer linings: further confirmation of its quality. Measures: 42" wide (107 cm) 23" deep 58.5 cm) 95" high (241 cm) - without cartouche. A related antique bureau cabinet...

Circa 1790 Georgian English Pine Housekeepers Cupboard Panelled sides, pillar columns, bracket feet and original hardware, signs of past repair. (2 piece) Measures: W158 ...

This is a fabulous quality, heavily carved solid oak court cupboard, made in England. The geometric moldings on the panels and doors are wonderfully carved. The quality and depth of ...

Georgian mahogany corner cabinet A late 18th to early 19th century Georgian mahogany glazed corner cabinet. The cabinet has a si...

We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine Burr Walnut & Brass George II circa 1740 Library Bureau Bookcase with campaign handles A very good looking and well made piece, ...

Exquisite antique english oak 18th century Georgian era chest of drawers~~brass lion pulls with upper shelf and gallery~~pre-1800 A must have~~gorg...

18th Century Georgian Mahogany Bureau A small 18th century Georgian mahogany bureau. The bureau has original gilt brass rococo shaped handles and keyhole escutcheons. The bu...

Circa 1770. An English George III pine two tier corner cupboard with swan neck pediment, fitted four shaped shelves enclosed by two pairs of panelled doors...

This is an antique Georgian corner cabinet. An English, oak wall hanging cupboard, dating to the late 18th century, circa 1780. Plea...

This court cupboard has protruding free standing carved pendants on the top. The upper doors have raised panels inlaid with satinwood and ebony figures o...

A very impressive mahogany bureau cabinet / bookcase / secretary*, with secret compartments. In the manner of Giles Grendey (1693-1780). In mahogany and parcel gilt. Mid-18th century, George II period. This English bureau cabinet displays fine, deep, rich colour and superb surface patination throughout. The top section with a broken-arch pediment and dentil cornice. The frieze well carved with Gothic arcaded blind fretwork. Centred by a later urn-shaped finial. The cabinet with two carved parcel-gilt gesso bordered ogee shaped doors. Old but apparently later mirror plates enclosing a fitted interior with eight drawers and adjustable shelves. The cleated fall, with its original lock, now fitted with a wine red, gilt-tooled writing surface revealing an exceptionally high-quality arrangement of canopied drawers and pigeon holes. The interior is centred by an arched, architectural over door...

This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exceptional artistry, it is a work of royal and historic significance that exudes power in each and every detail. The broken pediment at its apex features the simplified royal coat of arms bearing the king’s crown, while the interior is adorned by portraits of the British Royal Family. Placed within the ambassador’s St. Petersburg home, this entirely unique piece of furniture would have been a potent reminder of England's grandeur and political importance. Relations between England and Russia during this period were at an all-time high. Peter the Great had traveled to England in 1698 as part of his widely known “Grand Embassy” tour, wherein he attempted to gain foreign support against the Ottoman Empire. He spent a period of nearly four months there, meeting with King William III and his court on numerous occasions. Noted academic Arthur MacGregor wrote concerning the impact of the trip, “For two decades following Peter's visit, British influence in Russia reached a peak. It manifested itself in social custom, in craft practice and in ships and naval organization... it reached a significant sector of the population before relations cooled once again and the two nations pulled back from this era of unprecedented cordiality.” First and foremost, however, it is a reminder of British might and influence. By the reign of King George I, England had come into its own as a world power. Unique in its design, this cabinet is a reflection of the country’s might. It is crafted from the highest-quality solid walnut and burr walnut adorned by gilded lock plates and engraved hinges. The presence of ormolu at its apex and lining the doors was a rarity for this period, and its addition makes manifest the importance of the design. The outer doors open to reveal multiple interiors, including fifteen separate drawers around a central cupboard; the cupboard doors each bear mezzotint portraits of George I and his father, Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover. An etching after the portrait of George I dating to circa 1716 is in London’s Royal Academy. A second, inner pair of doors are adorned by mezzotints of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later Queen Caroline and George II), which are both after portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller dated 1716 in the Royal Collection. A final portrait is revealed on the very interior of the cabinet, where a mezzotint of Frederick, Anne, Amelia and Caroline, children of the Prince of Wales, resides. An etching (circa 1715-1720) after this portrait can be found in the National Portrait Gallery (London). Apart from its abundance of royal portraiture, the cabinet features stunning painted decoration, including floral designs as well as clouds, birds and trees in a bucolic motif reminiscent of Eden. Its lower portion is a study in both form and function, featuring a fitted secrétaire-drawer above three additional drawers for storage. The cabinet appears in The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture by R. Edwards from 1964, a text that is regarded as the bible of British furniture design. Edwards describes it as a “writing cabinet...given by George I to the British Ambassador at the Russian court.” The cabinet was likely made for the 18th-century German diplomat and writer Friedrich Christian Weber, who represented English interests at the Russian court from 1714 until 1719. Although Weber’s tenure as ambassador was relatively short, while in St. Petersburg, he authored his account entitled Das veraenderte Russland (The Present State of Russia), which was published in three volumes in 1721, 1739 and 1740. It may, however, also have been made for George Douglas, 2nd Earl of Dumbarton, who served as ambassador alongside Weber in 1716. Diplomatic relations ceased between the two countries in 1721. In 1928, the cabinet appeared for sale at the International Exhibition of Antiques & Works of Art in Olympia. It had previously been in the collection of the Woltner family of Bordeaux, the celebrated vintners who owned the estate Château Laville Haut-Brion and produced wine of the same name. According to the family, Monsieur Woltner was given the cabinet as a gift from an aunt who lived in Russia for many years. After leaving the Woltner collection, the cabinet was acquired by William Berry...

Late 18th century English mahogany bowfront hanging cupboard featuring string inlay on the doors with bone escutcheons, three curved interior drawers with brass pulls and four interior shelves. The intricate fruitwood inlay at the top of the cornice features carved dentals with seashells on either side of the Grecian lamp...

rare small secretary in walnut from the 18th century of very good quality with its dome English piece of furniture which stands out by its period, fro...

A fine and unusual Colonial glazed book case, reeded architectural column supports with neoclassical capitals, tapered and turned reeded legs terminat...

With double arched top over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to a red interior fitted with drawers and shelves, the base with slant lid des...

18th Century Mahogany corner cabinet An exceptional example of an 18th century George III mahogany corner cupboard. The cabinet has a single door with a framed panel incorporat...

We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite and important antique George II circa 1740 Mulberry wood drinks cabinets depicting eagles he...

Rectangular top with bowed center with conforming lower drawers and cabinet doors. Plinth base.

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1740 Continental panelled oak arched top cupboard A very rare find, all original with period fittings, there are some old r...

17th century oak aubrey food cupboard from England. The top is simple and has pegged construction, following down to simply paneled sides and two wonderfully hand carved doors, which...

Charles II Cedar Wood chest A 17th century Charles II cedar wood cushion fronted chest. The chest is smaller than usual and comes in two parts, the two door cupboard top has be...

A rare chinoiserie standing double corner cabinet, or cupboard. English, George I period, ca 1720. Often erroneously referred to as lacquer work, this is in fact japanned. Beautifully decorated with idyllic scenes of rockwork, pagodas, people, trees, birds, water, with bridges and a boat. This is a lovely and very useful addition to a room - where corners can present furnishing dilemmas - and this is an ideal antique drinks cabinet. These have always been very hard to find, as opposed to the more usual Georgian hanging corner cupboards...

Charles II walnut and mulberry marquetry cabinet on giltwood stand, c. 1650-1670. Giltwood cresting and stand appear to be from a few decades later. The form of furniture now described as a cabinet developed across Spain and France in the 16th Century. In architecture, a cabinet is a small private room for the housing or display of precious objects, hence the term could be aptly applied to the small, portable pieces of furniture made for the carriage and display of valuable items and able to stand upon a table, trestle stand...

The cabinet with two doors opening to an interior fitted with drawers. Two drawers with reverse painting on glass of a country house and gardens, another drawer with a stump work...

George III display cabinet. Upper section with two glass doors, lower section having two cupboard doors enclosing two lined shelves. Hidden ...

Fabulous quality antique English George III diminutive size, carved and fretted mahogany "Chinese Chippendale" bookcase or display cabinet Please note superbly "blind fretted" and c...

A rare late 18th century satinwood collector’s cabinet in the manner of Mayhew and Ince, tulipwood crossbanded throughout, the doors enclosing various small drawers inlaid with oval ...

A fine English George I-period burr (burl) walnut secretaire cabinet. Early-18th century, ca 1720. The top section separates from the base and opens to reveal numerous fitted drawers, behind doors with original bevelled arched mirror plates. The base contains a fall-front fitted secretaire with small drawers, two of which have secret drawers. Engraved mounts are contemporary if not original. All locks and cross-grained mouldings are original. Beautiful colour throughout with superb matched burr veneers within herringbone lines. Bun feet are original. Lined throughout in best quality English oak. The well-patinated green, gilt-tooled liner in the writing surface appears original. Very much in the style of John Old & William Ody. One of the most original early-18th century pieces of English walnut cabinet...

English Chippendale mahogany breakfront with carved molded cornice, four upper case glass doors with arched oval mullions, adjustable interior shelving, lower case concealing a slidi...

18th century English oak dresser base with a two plank top which has a beveled edge, following down to wonderful dentil detail over si...

A magnificent late 18th-century flame mahogany collectors cabinet, the sides and doors inset with the most fabulous flame mahogany within raised borders of 'woven' boxwood and ebony, opening to nine long drawers with rich flame mahogany veneers and gilt ax head...

18th century demilune satinwood commode of small proportions, in the manner of Mayhew & Ince A superb Sheraton period late 18th century semi-ovoid satinwood commode of small proportions, in the manner of Mayhew & Ince, circa 1780-1790. The top consists of a satinwood veneer in six sections with kingwood edging and a boxwood demilune-stringing pattern. The commode has a double cupboard door veneered in satinwood with Kingwood banding...

Queen Anne mahogany spice box on bracket feet with tombstone panel door. Probably English with oak secondary wood. Contains 16 drawers and two secret drawers.

A 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...