19th Century Lacquered Chinoiserie Fall Front Bureau or Desk

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...

Handsome and functional Regency mahogany fall front desk, server, entry way piece, great inlay, elegant form. Exceptional exaggerated arched foot.

Early 19th century English fall front butler's desk, the pullout / pull-out fitted interior with shallow stationary drawers over pigeon holes, four inlaid drawers on each side , inlaid prospect door flanked by inlaid document drawers...

Early 19th century hand painted and decorated chinoiserie bureau / desk. The fall front opening to reveal a fully fitted interior and numerous holding compartments, above an arrangem...

A fine three-piece diminutive black lacquer secretary desk with extensive chinoiserie or japanned decoration, including a base table, bras...

An exceptional 19th Century Irish, finely carved and richly patinated mahogany fall front bureau by Butler of Dublin. The moulded fall front opens forwards revealing a writing surface which rests on two pull out slide supports and a fitted interior comprising of an arrangement of eight line inlaid serpentine cubby holes flanking central cupboard with intricate marquetry detail, depicting a military officer in period dress, armed with sword and shield...