What is an antique escritoire?

An escritoire is a specialized type of writing cabinet that originated in the seventeenth century, featuring a hinged fall-front panel that opens downwards to create a flat writing surface while revealing interior compartments, small drawers, and pigeonholes.

What materials were used in early 18th-century escritoires?

Cabinetmakers during the early eighteenth century primarily utilised native and imported walnut, often applying figurative burr walnut or featherbanded veneers over a oak or pine carcase, complemented by solid brass teardrop or drop handles.

How do you identify an authentic 18th-century walnut escritoire?

Authentic period pieces exhibit hand-dovetailed drawer joints, oak drawer linings with grain running front-to-back, original iron locks, hand-cast brass hardware, and natural timber shrinkage or crossbanded veneer edge details.

How can an antique escritoire be styled in a modern interior?

An escritoire functions well as a focal statement piece in a contemporary study, hallway, or living area, pairing dark natural timber against neutral plaster walls alongside minimal modern lighting.

How should you clean and preserve an antique walnut escritoire?

Dust the timber regularly with a clean microfiber cloth and apply a high-grade beeswax polish once or twice a year, avoiding direct sunlight, radiators, and harsh chemical solvents to maintain the natural patina.

for sale €8,015 $8,700

£6,850

Hingstons of Wilton

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2010

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Queen Anne Escritoire

Burr Walnut Escritoire

18th Century Escritoire

Id #SA1150386

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Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

18th century

For Sale by Hingstons of Wilton

Description

Early 18th-century walnut escritoire

This exquisite early 18th-century walnut escritoire exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of the Queen Anne period. Featuring a beautifully figured walnut veneer with a rich, warm patina developed over centuries, this piece offers both refined style and practical function.

The fall-front opens to reveal a fitted interior of small drawers, pigeonholes, and a central cupboard—ideal for correspondence and personal effects— including the rare feature of guinea drawers hidden within the sides of the upper section, this is a feature I have never seen in my 49 years of trading.

The lower section houses a series of graduated drawers with brass hardware, all standing on turned walnut bun feet. The finely shaped moldings and book-matched veneers speak to the quality of workmanship and attention to by the cabinetmaker.

A distinguished and timeless addition to any interior, this escritoire embodies the charm and transitional design influences of both the William & Mary and Queen Anne periods. The rich, book-matched walnut veneers display a deep, mellow patina developed over three centuries, while the elegant proportions and refined detailing highlight the sophistication of the era.

A superb example of early 18th-century English cabinetry, this walnut escritoire would have been commissioned for an important household—used for managing estate affairs, correspondence, and records.

The rich, book-matched walnut veneers display a deep, mellow patina developed over three centuries, while the elegant proportions and refined detailing highlight the sophistication of the era.

This escritoire is not only a beautiful and functional antique but also a piece of social history, offering insight into the refined tastes and domestic organisation of early 18th-century.

Key Features:

• Period: Circa early 1700s, combining Queen Anne elegance with William & Mary architectural detailing

• Veneer: Beautifully figured, book-matched walnut with a lustrous aged patina

• Feet: Stands on turned walnut bun feet, a distinctive feature of the period

• Interior: Fall-front opens to reveal a fitted interior of small drawers, pigeonholes, and a central cupboard

• Secret Compartments: Ingeniously designed with multiple concealed drawers, including the rare feature of guinea drawers hidden within the sides of the upper section

• Drawers: Lower section fitted with a graduated arrangement of a pair of short and 2 full width drawers under drawers retaining period brassware

• Function: Designed for estate administration and personal correspondence in a large important country estate house/farm

Dimensions:

o Width: 111 cm / 43 in

o Depth: 50 cm / 19¾ in

o Height: 163 cm / 64 in

• Measurements are as accurate as possible

o

Available for purchase now – a rare opportunity to acquire a highly desirable and historically significant piece.

“There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man’s lawful prey.”

Delivery

UK mainland FREE Other destinations please contact us, and we will get a quote. We use a professional Removal company to transport our precious items and do not entrust them to usual parcel services. Therefore, delivery may be 7 -10 days, but it is worth the wait of course.

On occasions customers have been disappointed to miss an item as they e-mailed their enquiry instead of phoning, I would recommend that if you wished to get the piece, please call rather than e-mail. We are very friendly and easy to deal with. This Edwardian golden oak dresser base is a green product and has not affected the environment we live in.

We spend time choosing the best product, an antique item that must meet the strict criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

Guarantee

This Edwardian golden oak dresser ba

Physical Dimensions

Height

163cm (64.17")

Width

111cm (43.70")

Depth

50cm (19.69")

Declaration

Hingstons of Wilton has dated this Antique Walnut Escritoire Cabinet to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1150386

Dealers Notes

PRICE MATCHING

Antiques are unique and it is impossible to price match in the normal way. Please take into account the quality of product, and the care taken in our restoration, before making a decision if you are looking at price comparison.

When you choose to purchase an item from Hingstons, you will be purchasing a piece that will enhance your home.

We spend time choosing the best product, an antique that has to meet the criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

Beware of cheaper imitations.

DISTANCE SELLING REGULATIONS

Purchases from Hingstons Antiques Ltd are covered under the Distance Selling Regulations, which give all buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 7 working days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less RETURN transport costs.

Description

Early 18th-century walnut escritoire

“

This exquisite early 18th-century walnut escritoire exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of the Queen Anne period.

Hingstons of Wilton

Featuring a beautifully figured walnut veneer with a rich, warm patina developed over centuries, this piece offers both refined style and practical function.

fig 1. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 1. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

The fall-front opens to reveal a fitted interior of small drawers, pigeonholes, and a central cupboard—ideal for correspondence and personal effects— including the rare feature of guinea drawers hidden within the sides of the upper section, this is a feature I have never seen in my 49 years of trading.

fig 2. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 2. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

The lower section houses a series of graduated drawers with brass hardware, all standing on turned walnut bun feet. The finely shaped moldings and book-matched veneers speak to the quality of workmanship and attention to by the cabinetmaker.

fig 3. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 3. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

A distinguished and timeless addition to any interior, this escritoire embodies the charm and transitional design influences of both the William & Mary and Queen Anne periods. The rich, book-matched walnut veneers display a deep, mellow patina developed over three centuries, while the elegant proportions and refined detailing highlight the sophistication of the era.

fig 4. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 4. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

A superb example of early 18th-century English cabinetry, this walnut escritoire would have been commissioned for an important household—used for managing estate affairs, correspondence, and records.

The rich, book-matched walnut veneers display a deep, mellow patina developed over three centuries, while the elegant proportions and refined detailing highlight the sophistication of the era.

fig 5. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 5. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

This escritoire is not only a beautiful and functional antique but also a piece of social history, offering insight into the refined tastes and domestic organisation of early 18th-century.

Key Features:

fig 6. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 6. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

• Period: Circa early 1700s, combining Queen Anne elegance with William & Mary architectural detailing

• Veneer: Beautifully figured, book-matched walnut with a lustrous aged patina

• Feet: Stands on turned walnut bun feet, a distinctive feature of the period

fig 7. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 7. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

• Interior: Fall-front opens to reveal a fitted interior of small drawers, pigeonholes, and a central cupboard

• Secret Compartments: Ingeniously designed with multiple concealed drawers, including the rare feature of guinea drawers hidden within the sides of the upper section

fig 8. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 8. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

• Drawers: Lower section fitted with a graduated arrangement of a pair of short and 2 full width drawers under drawers retaining period brassware

• Function: Designed for estate administration and personal correspondence in a large important country estate house/farm

fig 9. An early eighteenth-century burr walnut escritoire with a fall-front upper section, brass drop handles, and bun feet. — fig 9. Early 18th-century Walnut Escritoire

Dimensions:

o Width: 111 cm / 43 in

o Depth: 50 cm / 19¾ in

o Height: 163 cm / 64 in

• Measurements are as accurate as possible

Available for purchase now – a rare opportunity to acquire a highly desirable and historically significant piece.

“There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man’s lawful prey.”

Delivery

UK mainland FREE Other destinations please contact us, and we will get a quote. We use a professional Removal company to transport our precious items and do not entrust them to usual parcel services. Therefore, delivery may be 7 -10 days, but it is worth the wait of course.

On occasions customers have been disappointed to miss an item as they e-mailed their enquiry instead of phoning, I would recommend that if you wished to get the piece, please call rather than e-mail. We are very friendly and easy to deal with. This Edwardian golden oak dresser base is a green product and has not affected the environment we live in.

We spend time choosing the best product, an antique item that must meet the strict criteria to be placed in Hingstons of Wilton stock.

Guarantee

This Edwardian golden oak dresser ba