Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

The Sir William Stephenson 18th Century George II Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau

$31,499.74List Price

About the Item

A rare and important George II period lacquer chinoiserie bureau, exquisitely decorated with gilded chinoiserie scenes on a rich black ground. Featuring intricate depictions of figures, birds, and landscapes, this exceptional piece embodies the height of early 18th-century English craftsmanship. The fall-front reveals a beautifully fitted interior with small drawers, pigeonholes, and two secret drawers cleverly concealed within, adding to its intrigue. This bureau bears the coat of arms of the Stephenson family, a remarkable discovery that enhances its historical significance. The Stephensons, originally from Alston in Cumbria, rose to prominence in trade and public life, with Sir William Stephenson (c.1685–1774) becoming a successful London merchant, Lord Mayor (1764–5), and a key figure in 18th-century commerce. His descendants forged influential alliances, including connections to the Sawbridge, Savile, and Erle-Drax families. A silver seal fob bearing the same arms, dated between 1725 and 1775, is held in the British Museum, likely belonging to the original owner of this bureau. With exceptional provenance, rarity, and striking visual appeal, this bureau is a true collector’s piece. Important examples of chinoiserie furniture with such distinguished lineage and hidden compartments rarely come to market. Additional reading Extraordinarily, I was able to find only one direct match for Stephenson. While there are various armigerous families with that name, only one bears these particular arms, and Burke helpfully references later marriage alliances, confirming that we are indeed looking at the 'right' Stephensons. The Stephensons originated as a farming family from Alston in Cumbria before branching out into trade in both Newcastle and London. More details about the family can be found in John Hodgson's History of Northumberland (1820). Sir William Stephenson (born after 1685), the youngest of three brothers, moved to London to seek his fortune. He became a successful hop merchant and distiller, a member of the Grocers' Company, an Alderman in 1754, Sheriff in 1756–7, and was knighted on 8 June 1759 before serving as Lord Mayor of London in 1764–5. Despite his success, he remained connected to his roots, funding the construction of a new market cross in Alston. He passed away in 1774. He had two daughters: Anne Stephenson, who married John Sawbridge of Olantigh in Kent in June 1766, following the passing of his first wife, the daughter of Sir Orlando Bridgeman. Sawbridge inherited substantial estates in Kent and Middlesex, served as an MP, and later became a partner in his father-in-law's business. Their grandson, John, married Frances Erle-Drax in 1827, heiress to Charborough House in Dorset and Ellerton Abbey in Yorkshire. Alice Stephenson, who married her cousin, Henry Stephenson (eldest son and heir of John, the middle brother). Henry was an attorney, a member of the Middle Temple (called to the bar in 1753), and lived at East Burnham in Buckinghamshire. Their only child, Elizabeth, was born in 1762, married John Savile, second Earl of Mexborough, on 30 September 1782, and passed away in 1821. A memorial tablet in Westminster Abbey commemorates her. The Savile family seat was Methley Hall in Yorkshire. Another notable family member was John Stephenson, son of Thomas, the eldest of the three brothers. Born in 1710, he likely moved to London under the guidance of his uncle Sir William. He took over the Horseshoe Brewery, one of London's largest, and became a major importer of wine from Lisbon. In 1741, he married a wealthy widow, Mary Holford, and resided at Bedford Square and later Brentford Butts. He served as an MP for various constituencies from 1761 until his death in April 1794. A close associate of Robert Clive and the nabobs, he was a Director of the East India Company (1765–1768) and, during the American War of Independence, secured lucrative government contracts for provisioning troops in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and West Florida. John Stephenson left his entire estate to his natural son, John Stephenson Junior, but tragedy struck soon after. On 13 November 1794, an employee at the brewery noticed John's hat floating in a vat of beer—he had fallen into a cooling vessel and drowned. Interestingly, there is a silver seal fob bearing these arms and crest in the British Museum, dated between 1725 and 1775. It most likely belonged to the original owner of the bureau.

Dimensions:
Height: 40.25 in (102.24 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)
Style:
George II (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Gold,Lacquer,Oak,Silver
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1730-1740
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor conservations in line with age and use. Remarkably, all decoration, hardware, locks and feet are original. It should be noted that the piece is in remarkable condition!
Seller Location:
Oxfordshire, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4936243821442

Antique 18th Century English Desks

Materials

Oak

18th Century Chinoiserie Bureau

$7,874

H 37.41 in W 38.19 in D 20.48 in

English Queen Anne, Early 18th Century Red Chinoiserie Lacquer Desk / Commode

Located in Troy, NY

A small early 18th century red lacquer chinoiserie decorated commode with a desk compartment, the hinged slant front - flip top, supported by pull-out...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Wood

English Queen Anne, Early 18th Century Red Chinoiserie Lacquer Desk / Commode

$12,750

H 38.5 in W 25 in D 16.75 in

18th Century George II Bachelor Chest

Located in Dublin 8, IE

18th century George II figured Cuban mahogany bachelor chest of excellent compact proportions retaining excellent patina. The rectangular figur...

Category

Antique 18th Century Irish George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century George II Bachelor Chest

$7,728

H 32 in W 30 in D 19 in

18th Century George II Miniature Tallboy

Located in Dublin 8, IE

18th century George II flame mahogany miniature tallboy, the moulded top over five graduated drawers with brass pulls with integrated escutcheo...

Category

Antique 18th Century Irish George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century George II Miniature Tallboy

$7,847

H 37 in W 17 in D 14.25 in

Large Antique George II Mahogany Desk c. Mid 18th Century

Located in Westfield, MA

This Large Antique George II Mahogany Desk, crafted in the mid-18th century, is an exceptional example of Georgian design, combining both form and function with timeless beauty. The ...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Large Antique George II Mahogany Desk c. Mid 18th Century

$5,150

H 31 in W 73 in D 36 in

18th Century Walnut Kneehole Desk

Located in Bedfordshire, GB

A very attractive early 18th century, George I Period, walnut kneehole desk of diminutive proportions, having extremely well figured quarter veneered, crossbanded top with elegant re-entrant corners, over arrangement of seven drawers retaining original brasswear, flanking central cupboard door with original brass hinges, raised on original bracket feet. In general 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 typically found form. 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...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George I Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Walnut Kneehole Desk

$11,230

H 29 in W 30 in D 18 in

Antique 18th Century George I Quality Figured Walnut Bureau

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique 18th Century George I quality figured walnut bureau having a quality figured walnut fall with herringbone crossbanding opening to reveal a fitted interior consisting of five ...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George I Desks

Materials

Walnut

Antique 18th Century George I Quality Figured Walnut Bureau

$5,471

H 38.98 in W 38.59 in D 18.51 in

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of elm, oak and padouk woods, c.1780 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compart...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century

$5,895

H 42 in W 40.38 in D 21.5 in

18th Century Mahogany Bureau

Located in Martlesham, GB

A superb quality 18th Century mahogany Georgian bureau, the hinged fall lifting down to reveal a lovely fitted interior consisting of eleven oak ...

Category

Antique 1780s British Georgian Desks

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Bureau

$2,793 Sale Price

30% Off

H 42.5 in W 41.5 in D 21.5 in

18th Century walnut bureau

Located in Martlesham, GB

A lovely quality 18th Century walnut bureau, having a lovely figured fall which opens to reveal a wonderful fitted interior consisting of various drawers and compartments, a green le...

Category

Antique 1780s British Georgian Desks

Materials

Walnut

18th Century walnut bureau

$1,698 Sale Price

20% Off

H 35 in W 27 in D 17.5 in

More From This Seller

View All

Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740, England

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Rare Burr walnut George II 18th century kneehole desk / bachelor's chest, circa 1730-1740. England The superb quarter veneered burr walnut top is bordered by a fine feather stringing, cross-banded and edged with cross-grain ovolo mouldings. Six oak lined drawers bearing their original locks and handles and escutcheons surround the central burr walnut cupboard...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George II Desks

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740, England

$39,580

A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Tripod Table, Circa 1760

By Thomas Chippendale

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

This 18th century George II table features a beautifully crafted one piece circular top made from one piece of richly grained figured mahogany, showcasing the natural luster and patt...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George II Side Tables

Materials

Mahogany

A Fine 18th Century George II Mahogany Tripod Table, Circa 1760

$7,943

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

18th-Century George II Mahogany Secretaire Linen Press, Attributed, Giles Grendey

$13,421

Rare 18th Century George III Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lacquer Canisters

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

This exceptional and rare George III period tea caddy is a remarkable example of 18th-century craftsmanship. Featuring intricate chinoiserie lacquer decoration, the caddy retains all...

Category