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ID #SA1174136
FOR SALE
£1,650
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Fine Quality Mid C19th Ormolu-mounted Burr and Figured Walnut Kidney-shaped Writing Table or ‘Bureau-plat’
For sale by M Lees and Sons
for sale €1,931     $2,096
£1,650
M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2013
Browse dealers 370 items
  • About Us
    M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218
  • Trade Associations
    M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA1174136
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Fine Quality Mid C19th Ormolu-mounted Burr and Figured Walnut Kidney-shaped Writing Table or ‘Bureau-plat’

19th century
For Sale by M Lees and Sons
Description

Fine quality mid C19th ormolu-mounted burr and figured Circassian walnut kidney-shaped writing table or ‘bureau-plat’.

Cross-banded and inlaid with satinwood and kingwood, the top retaining its original inset shaped scarlet Morocco leather writing surface with gilt and ‘blind’ tooled edge . The shapely cabriole-style legs each with an elaborate brightly gilded ormolu cast bronze rococo-style full-length mount onto integral sabot feet . The friezes of serpentine outline , the front central frieze section having a ‘concealed’ mahogany-lined full-length drawer. The shaped friezes all with kingwood cross-banding .

In excellent original condition with a mellow colour and patina to the original polished surface .The table has been sympathetically cleaned and waxed in our workshops , ready for the home .

A flamboyantly designed English-made table in the French Louis XVI period taste , probably produced by the esteemed cabinet-making firm Gillows of Lancaster.

* highly figured Circassian walnut ( Juglans Regia) which was imported from Eastern Europe and Asia was highly prized by cabinet-makers for it’s distinctive figuring , rich colour and tight burr grain .

H 30”

W 48”

D 24”

England c.1860

Date of Manufacture

M Lees and Sons has dated this Burr Walnut Writing Desk to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Guide ID 09218952
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques Date19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 145-180 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 19TH CENTURY:
Mahogany-lined drawer construction: typical mid-Victorian English cabinet-making.
Cast brass mounts with chased detail: standard Victorian French-revival work.
Gilt-tooled leather surface with dry cracking and cup rings: honest historic use.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
75cm (29.53")
Width
120cm (47.24")
Depth
60cm (23.62")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1174136
Dealers Internal Reference
ML 2510
Dealers Notes

Established in the Cathedral City of Worcester for over 40 years ,M.Lees&Sons , run by Michael Lees ,have been dealing with public and trade from show-rooms in an early Georgian town-house. We aim to provide a straight-forward approach to our business and build lasting relationships with our customers. As members of the 'London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association' , we provide full descriptive details , date ,authenticity and any available provenance ,with full disclosure of any restoration or repair which may have taken place .

Whether buying for pleasure , decoration or investment, we welcome you to our web-site or premises .

Past projects have included advising clients on forming and disposing of collections , furnishing period properties , hotel and commercial projects , also a shoot-room and lodge .

All goods are available to view and owned by M.Lees & Sons .

If visiting, a telephone call prior is advisable as due to the demands of the business the show-room does not have regular hours . Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance . Our inventory on the website Selling Antiques .co.uk showcases our range of stock, whilst more items are available to view on our website. Please visit us on:

www.leesantiquesworcester.com.

Tel. 01905 26620 / 07860826218

Located in the centre of Worcester in the shadow of the Cathedral with easy parking nearby. Exit Junction 7 M5 and follow the signs for Worcester Porcelain Museum . Our premises are located 100 metres from the Museum and 50 metres from Pay&Display car-park in nearby King St.

Description
Fine quality mid C19th ormolu-mounted burr and figured Circassian walnut kidney-shaped writing table or ‘bureau-plat’.
“
Cross-banded and inlaid with satinwood and kingwood, the top retaining its original inset shaped scarlet Morocco leather writing surface with gilt and ‘blind’ tooled edge.
M Lees and Sons

. The shapely cabriole-style legs each with an elaborate brightly gilded ormolu cast bronze rococo-style full-length mount onto integral sabot feet . The friezes of serpentine outline , the front central frieze section having a ‘concealed’ mahogany-lined full-length drawer. The shaped friezes all with kingwood cross-banding .

fig 1. A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs.
fig 1. Fine Quality Mid C19th Ormolu-mounted Burr and Figured Walnut Kidney-shaped Writing Table or ‘Bureau-plat’

In excellent original condition with a mellow colour and patina to the original polished surface .The table has been sympathetically cleaned and waxed in our workshops , ready for the home .

A flamboyantly designed English-made table in the French Louis XVI period taste , probably produced by the esteemed cabinet-making firm Gillows of Lancaster.

fig 2. A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs.
fig 2. Fine Quality Mid C19th Ormolu-mounted Burr and Figured Walnut Kidney-shaped Writing Table or ‘Bureau-plat’

highly figured Circassian walnut ( Juglans Regia) which was imported from Eastern Europe and Asia was highly prized by cabinet-makers for it’s distinctive figuring , rich colour and tight burr grain .

H 30”

W 48”

D 24”

England c.1860

Date of Manufacture

M Lees and Sons has dated this Burr Walnut Writing Desk to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09218952
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques dating19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 145-180 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 19th Century:
Mahogany-lined drawer construction: typical mid-Victorian English cabinet-making.
Cast brass mounts with chased detail: standard Victorian French-revival work.
Gilt-tooled leather surface with dry cracking and cup rings: honest historic use.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
75cm (29.53")
Width
120cm (47.24")
Depth
60cm (23.62")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1174136
Dealers Internal Ref
ML 2510
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2013

M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M Lees and Sons Profile Page

Trade Associations

M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

PDF SHARE
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A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs.
1 / 27
Archive I A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs.

Fine Quality Mid C19th Ormolu-mounted Burr and Figured Walnut Kidney-shaped Writing Table or ‘Bureau-plat’

Archive II A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View II
Archive III A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View III
Archive IV A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View IV
Archive V A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View V
Archive VI A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View VI
Archive VII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View VII
Archive VIII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View VIII
Archive IX A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View IX
Archive X A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View X
Archive XI A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XI
Archive XII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XII
Archive XIII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XIII
Archive XIV A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XIV
Archive XV A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XV
Archive XVI A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XVI
Archive XVII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XVII
Archive XVIII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XVIII
Archive XIX A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XIX
Archive XX A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XX
Archive XXI A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XXI
Archive XXII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XXII
Archive XXIII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XXIII
Archive XXIV A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XXIV
Archive XXV A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XXV
Archive XXVI A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XXVI
Archive XXVII A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs. View XXVII
FURTHER BROWSING

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Enlarged Archival View
M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons
Telephone 07860 826218 or 01905 26620
Location
Tower House
1 Castle Place
Severn St
Worcester
WR1 2NB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified Since Feb 2013
Items For Sale 370
Items Sold 1,602
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Verified Since Feb 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Tower House, 1 Castle Place, Severn St, Worcester, WR1 2NB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified
Feb 2013
For Sale
370
Sold
1,602
A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs.
Fine quality mid C19th ormolu-mounted burr and figured walnut kidney-shaped writing table or ‘bureau-plat’
Ref: SA1174136
A mid-19th-century kidney-shaped burr walnut writing table with an inset leather surface and cast ormolu mounts on cabriole legs.
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Archival Detail

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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWriting Desks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Chateau
  • MaterialBurr Walnut, Ormolu, Leather
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsKidney-shaped top, Cabriole legs, Ormolu mounts, Leather writing surface
  • SizeH 75 cm (30 in) x W 120 cm (47 in) x D 60 cm (24 in)

This mid-19th-century English kidney-shaped writing table or bureau-plat takes the French Louis XVI taste. The piece uses warm brown burr and figured Circassian walnut, offset by satinwood and kingwood cross-banding and inlay. The serpentine top holds an original shaped scarlet Morocco leather writing surface with a gilt and blind-tooled edge. Elaborate brightly gilded cast bronze ormolu rococo-style full-length mounts run down the shapely cabriole legs onto integral sabot feet. The front central frieze section includes a concealed mahogany-lined full-length drawer. The timber displays a mellow colour and patina across the polished surface. The table measures 75 cm high, 120 cm wide, and 60 cm deep. Position this writing table in a home study, library, or drawing room as a central workspace or decorative surface. The freestanding design allows placement in the middle of a room against any wall arrangement. The compact kidney shape provides a comfortable seating curve for daily writing or administrative tasks. The surface offers ample room for laptops, stationery, or display items. The enclosed drawer stores paperwork and writing implements out of sight.

FAQs

A bureau plat is a French-style flat writing table originating in the 18th century, typically featuring an inset writing surface. Kidney-shaped variants incorporate a concave front curve designed to allow the user easier reach across the desktop.

Mid-19th-century examples were frequently constructed using figured walnut or burr walnut veneers laid over a solid hardwood framework, finished with cast gilt-bronze ormolu mounts and a leather writing surface.

Authentic period pieces exhibit hand-cut dovetail joints on drawers, natural age-related oxidisation on the underside, cast metal mounts with precise chasing, and natural wear patterns on the leg sabots.

Place the table in a window alcove or study space alongside minimalist modern seating to highlight the contrast between historical curves and clean contemporary architecture.

Dust surfaces using a soft dry cloth and apply natural beeswax sparingly to wood surfaces while avoiding abrasive cleaners that could damage the gilding on metal mounts.
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