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Figured Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk Attributed to Elizabeth Bell

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  • Early 18th Century George I Figured Walnut Bureau Bookcase
    By Peter Miller
    Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
    A superb and exceptionally well proportioned early 18th century figured walnut ‘pagoda topped’ double dome bureau bookcase, circa 1720 England. The upper section is surmounted with what is believed to be the original solid walnut finials and soft bevelled mirror plates, opening to a removal bank of walnut veneered and feather banded drawers, cantered by pigeonholes below two shelves. Candle slides are neatly stowed below the bookcase doors to reflect the light. To the moulded bureau, the fall opens to reveal pigeonholes, long and short asymmetric drawers each beautifully veneered in figured walnut and feather banded, cantered by a cupboard door which neatly conceals an open compartment and drawer. Below the fall, two short and two long graduating oak lined drawers are each book-matched in superb sections of hand-cut figured walnut veneers over bun feet. It should be noted that this exceptional desk and bookcase, is not only of the finest cuts of figured walnut veneer but exquisitely made at the pinnacle of design which had gradually evolved predominantly in London, during the late 17thand early 18thcentury. The actual description 'desk-and-bookcase' appears to be first recorded in the accounts of the Royal cabinet-maker Gerrit Jensen (fl.1680-d.1715) who supplied several for the Royal Household from 1710 (Bowett, op. cit.), and another described as 'a walnut writing desk, the top for books and patons and glass in the doors asked' for the 5th Earl of Salisbury, Hatfield House.  Another maker of this form of desk was the London cabinet-maker John Gumley (1691-1727) who advertised in Richard Steele's Lover on April 24 1714 that he 'hath taken for a Ware-house, and furnished all the upper part of the New Exchange in the Strand' continuing with an extensive list of his stock including 'Desks and Bookcases.' In 1714 he supplied one of these in walnut to James 1st Duke of Montrose for the sum of £11. Russian cabinetwork of this period was strongly influenced by Tsar Peter I return to Russia after his studies in London. He subsequently sent twenty-four cabinetmakers who were working in Amsterdam to London to train as furniture makers. One of these cabinetmakers named Fedor Martynov made furniture for the Empress Anna Ioannovna. Martynovs drawings are almost identical to the present piece. Literature Mallett’s Great English Furniture, London: Bullfinch Press 1991, p.248, fig 287, by Lanto Synge, English Furniture 1660-1714 From Charles II to Queen Anne, by Dr Adam Bowett, Woodbridge: Antique Collector’s Club, 2002 Chapter 7 Case Furniture 1689–1714 pp.221-223 fig. 7:53 A walnut bureau bookcase of the same form and period sold from the private collection of Patricia Kluge...
    Category

    Antique Early 18th Century British George I Bookcases

    Materials

    Walnut

  • A Fine 18th Century George II Figured Walnut Chest on Chest or Tallboy, 1740
    Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
    A Fine 18th Century George II Figured Walnut Chest on Chest or Tallboy, Circa 1740. England. In two parts divided by a cross grain moulding the reeded upper section consists of a c...
    Category

    Antique 17th Century English George II Cabinets

    Materials

    Oak, Walnut, Burl

  • Early 18th Century George I Figured Walnut Bachelors Chest, C.1720-1730
    Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
    A fine and rare early 18th-century compact George I figured walnut bachelors chest The quarter veneered feather and crossbanded top opens on original hinges to reveal a veneered int...
    Category

    Antique Early 18th Century English George I Commodes and Chests of Drawers

    Materials

    Brass

  • 18th Century George II Figured Walnut Console Table, Sienna Brocatelle Marble
    Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
    A fine George II figured walnut console table with Sienna Brocatelle marble top, circa 1740. England The moulded Sienna Brocatelle marble sits over a figured walnut moulded cavetto frieze, raised on eared solid walnut legs terminating on shaped pad feet. Lovely rich colour with well-patinated surfaces. Provenance Private Chicago collection Mallet Antiques...
    Category

    Antique Early 18th Century British George I Side Tables

    Materials

    Marble

  • 18th Century George III Mahogany Bachelors Chest by Philip Bell, London
    Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
    An extremely rare 18th century George III mahogany bachelors chest with brushing slide, by Philip Bell. Circa 1758-1774. London England. The moulded mahogany top sits above a scratch moulded brushing slide over four oak lined graduated cock-beaded drawers retaining original gilt brass swan neck handles and locks, raised on original bracket feet. The Maker Philip Bell, St Paul's Churchyard, London (fl. 1758–74) Successor to Elizabeth Bell and almost certainly her son. His father was probably Henry Bell...
    Category

    Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

    Materials

    Brass

  • 18th-Century George II Mahogany Secretaire Linen Press, Attributed, Giles Grendey
    By Giles Grendey
    Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
    A fine and rare 18th century two-part George II mahogany secretaire linen press, circa 1750-1760. England. Attributed to Giles Grendey. The de...
    Category

    Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Linen Presses

    Materials

    Brass

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  • Small 18th Century Mahogany Kneehole Desk George III
    Located in Brussels, Brussels
    Superb small chest of drawers/writing desk/secretaire in mahogany from the 18th century called Kneehole desk from the George III period Indeed, these small pieces of furniture are...
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    Antique 18th Century British Georgian Desks

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  • George II Burr Walnut Kneehole Desk, c.1735
    Located in London, GB
    A George II Burr walnut and feather banded kneehole desk with caddy moulded top, c.1735. Of exceptional patina & colour. Measures - 75cm H x 74cm W x 47cm D.
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    Antique 18th Century British George I Desks

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    Oak, Walnut

  • Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Kneehole Desk
    Located in Bedfordshire, GB
    A superb quality and extremely attractive 18th century, Chippendale period, georgian mahogany kneehole desk, having well figured rectangular top over slide, central cupboard and arrangement of drawers, retaining original rococo brass handles, raised on original shaped bracket feet. Generally, kneehole deeks are regarded as a smaller, more compact version of the more typically found pedestal desk, with some form of an arrangement of drawers around a central set recessed cupboard being the form which one can expect to come across. There are of course various different designs to be found along the same theme, but as a general rule that is the form you will usually find in a georgian kneehole desk...
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    Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks

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  • George II Walnut Kneehole Desk
    Located in Folkestone, GB
    An especially fine quality George II period burr walnut kneehole desk with quartered 'bookmark-veneered' top with herringbone inlay and cross-band...
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    Antique Early 18th Century English George II Desks

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    Walnut

  • Small Rare Early 18th Century English Walnut Kneehole Desk
    Located in Lymington, GB
    A rare, small, English early-18th century walnut kneehole desk. George II period, circa 1735. This fine Georgian walnut kneehole desk is of a very rare form. The hinged fold-over moulded bachelor’s top is supported on twin lopers, opening to reveal numerous secret fitted drawers and pigeon holes, located within a well. The whole beautifully veneered and crossbanded in fine, well-figured and patinated walnut of superb color, with narrow ebony lines. Original mounts, locks and bracket feet. Graduated, cockbeaded, short drawers surround a central recessed cupboard. All lined in best quality English oak. Nb. This small kneehole was probably made to a special estate order. An additional rarely-encountered feature - probably unique - is a steel lever concealed beneath the kneehole which releases yet another secret compartment within the cupboard recess. Maybe be used as a chic antique dressing table, or compact writing desk...
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    Antique 18th Century English George II Desks

    Materials

    Walnut

  • 18th Century English George III Mahogany Kneehole Desk
    Located in Chelmsford, Essex
    For sale is a George III mahogany kneehole desk, having a total of 11 drawers and a cupboard to the centre, the desk stands on small ...
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    Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks

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