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ID #SA1193162
FOR SALE
£6,500
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18th Century Venetian Travelling Bureau on Table, C1720
For sale by Anthony Short Antiques
for sale €7,605     $8,255
£6,500
Anthony Short Antiques

Anthony Short Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2020
Browse dealers 171 items
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Id #SA1193162
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18th Century Venetian Travelling Bureau on Table, C1720

18th century
Description

A Rare and Highly Decorative Early 18th-Century Painted Venetian Travelling Bureau on Original Table

A rare and highly decorative early 18th-century Venetian painted travelling bureau, retaining its original matching table and finished throughout in a rich green ground of particularly good quality. Both the bureau and table, each with elegantly shaped ends, are decorated inside and out with finely executed gilt floral designs and scrolling ornament, typical of Venetian work of the period. The elegant shaped side panels of the bureau are also beautifully painted with gilt floral motifs, giving the piece interest and detail from every angle.

The highly decorative bureau section has a fall front fitted with a brass escutcheon and its original lock. The fall opens to reveal a well organised fitted interior comprising eight shaped drawers of different sizes, above one long central drawer flanked by two small, deeper shaped drawers. The inside of the fall front is richly decorated with a finely painted design, echoing the exterior. The bureau stands on four turned shaped bun feet.

The original green painted table has a shaped rectangular top with moulded edge and softly rounded corners, and incorporates a single drawer with a brass escutcheon and its original lock for added practicality. It is supported by graceful, tall cabriole legs terminating in ball-and-claw feet, which lend the piece an especially elegant silhouette.

In good condition and structurally sound, this rare Venetian bureau and table can go straight into a home, providing a striking focal point with great colour, charm and presence in either a traditional or contemporary interior.

Height 113.5cm (44.7in)

Width 86cm (33.9in)

Depth 61cm (24.0in)

Physical Dimensions
Height
113.5cm (44.69")
Width
86cm (33.86")
Depth
61cm (24.02")
Declaration

Anthony Short Antiques has dated this Venetian Lacquered Writing Bureau to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1193162
Dealers Internal Reference
1449
Description
A Rare and Highly Decorative Early 18th-Century Painted Venetian Travelling Bureau on Original Table
“
A rare and highly decorative early 18th-century Venetian painted travelling bureau, retaining its original matching table and finished throughout in a rich green ground of particularly good quality.
Anthony Short Antiques

Both the bureau and table, each with elegantly shaped ends, are decorated inside and out with finely executed gilt floral designs and scrolling ornament, typical of Venetian work of the period. The elegant shaped side panels of the bureau are also beautifully painted with gilt floral motifs, giving the piece interest and detail from every angle.

fig 1. An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand.
fig 1. 18th Century Venetian Travelling Bureau on Table, C1720

The highly decorative bureau section has a fall front fitted with a brass escutcheon and its original lock. The fall opens to reveal a well organised fitted interior comprising eight shaped drawers of different sizes, above one long central drawer flanked by two small, deeper shaped drawers. The inside of the fall front is richly decorated with a finely painted design, echoing the exterior. The bureau stands on four turned shaped bun feet.

fig 2. An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand.
fig 2. 18th Century Venetian Travelling Bureau on Table, C1720

The original green painted table has a shaped rectangular top with moulded edge and softly rounded corners, and incorporates a single drawer with a brass escutcheon and its original lock for added practicality. It is supported by graceful, tall cabriole legs terminating in ball-and-claw feet, which lend the piece an especially elegant silhouette.

fig 3. An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand.
fig 3. 18th Century Venetian Travelling Bureau on Table, C1720

In good condition and structurally sound, this rare Venetian bureau and table can go straight into a home, providing a striking focal point with great colour, charm and presence in either a traditional or contemporary interior.

Height 113.5cm (44.7in)

Width 86cm (33.9in)

Depth 61cm (24.0in)

Height
113.5cm (44.69")
Width
86cm (33.86")
Depth
61cm (24.02")
Date of Manufacture

Anthony Short Antiques has dated this Venetian Lacquered Writing Bureau to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1193162
Dealers Internal Ref
1449
Anthony Short Antiques
Anthony Short Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2020
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Anthony Short Antiques Profile Page

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An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand.
1 / 16
Archive I An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand.

18th Century Venetian Travelling Bureau on Table, C1720

Archive II An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View II
Archive III An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View IX
Archive X An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View X
Archive XI An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View XI
Archive XII An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View XII
Archive XIII An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View XIII
Archive XIV An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View XIV
Archive XV An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View XV
Archive XVI An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand. View XVI
Enlarged Archival View
Anthony Short Antiques

Anthony Short Antiques
Telephone 07595 60 33 48
Location
Market Square
Petworth
West Sussex
GU28 0AH
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/anthonyshort
Verified Since Jul 2020
Items For Sale 171
Items Sold 61
Anthony Short Antiques
Anthony Short Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Market Square, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AH, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/anthonyshort
Verified
Jul 2020
For Sale
171
Sold
61
An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand.
18TH CENTURY VENETIAN TRAVELLING BUREAU ON TABLE, C1720
Ref: SA1193162
An 18th-century Venetian dark green lacquered travelling bureau with gilded floral scrollwork and fall-front writing flap resting on a matching cabriole-leg stand.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBureaux
  • Period18th century
  • StyleVenetian Rococo
  • MaterialLacquered Wood, Gilt, Brass
  • ColourGreen and Gold
  • MotifsCabriole legs, Fall-front flap, Gilt floral scrollwork, Internal drawers
  • SizeH 113.5 cm (45 in) x W 86 cm (34 in) x D 61 cm (24 in)

This early 18th-century Venetian travelling bureau on a matching table is executed in lacquered wood with a rich green ground and gilt decoration. The bureau has a fall-front writing flap fitted with a brass escutcheon, opening to an interior with multiple small drawers, and stands on turned shaped bun feet. The table features a shaped top with a moulded edge, a single drawer with a brass keyhole escutcheon, and graceful cabriole legs terminating in ball-and-claw feet. Both pieces are adorned inside and out with fine gilt floral scrollwork and scrolling ornament over the green painted finish, showing light surface wear consistent with age. Measuring 113.5 cm high by 86 cm wide and 61 cm deep, this item serves as a practical writing desk and storage cabinet. Positioned in either a traditional or contemporary interior, the bureau and table combination provides a striking focal point with distinct colour and presence. The fitted interior organises papers and writing implements behind the drop-down writing surface, while the lower drawer on the table offers additional storage space. Placed in a study, drawing room, or hallway, this decorative furniture piece functions as a workspace or display surface. The compact proportions allow placement against walls or in smaller alcoves without overwhelming the room, whilst the detailed gilded motifs and deep green colour scheme deliver visual interest from every angle.

FAQs

A Venetian travelling bureau is a compact writing cabinet featuring a slanted fall-front writing surface over small internal drawers, originating from 18th-century Venice. Designed to be portable, these pieces were often positioned on custom-made matching tables or stands when in use.

These bureaux were primarily constructed using local European softwoods like pine or spruce, coated with painted tempera, japanned lacquers, or water gilding. The interior drawers feature hand-cut dovetail joints, while the stands commonly display hand-carved cabriole legs.

Authentic period examples demonstrate age-appropriate surface wear, including fine craquelure across painted sections and natural rubbed loss on gilding exposing underlying clay bole. Structural indicators include hand-forged iron hinges, hand-carved wood irregularities, and period-correct lock mechanisms.

Place the bureau as a focal statement piece in a hallway, drawing room alcove, or study. Pairing the ornate gilded and painted surface against neutral walls creates a striking visual contrast while highlighting the historic craftsmanship.

Maintain stable humidity and temperature levels to prevent softwood timber movement and paint flaking. Dust gently using a soft, dry microfibre cloth or horsehair brush, avoiding water, commercial polishes, or chemical solvents that strip original lacquer finishes.
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