What characterises Sheraton Revival furniture from the late Victorian period?

Emerging in the late nineteenth century, Sheraton Revival furniture drew inspiration from Thomas Sheratons Neoclassical designs. It is characterised by slender proportions, geometric forms, and fine decorative veneers such as satinwood, often embellished with hand-painted floral or figural motifs.

Which materials and construction methods were used in making cylinder bureaux?

These bureaux were typically constructed using a primary timber such as satinwood or mahogany, often with oak or pine drawer linings. The curved cylinder fall was engineered using solid wood panels or slatted tambours, embellished with fine marquetry, crossbanding, or hand-painted polychrome decoration.

How can one identify authentic late nineteenth-century satinwood furniture?

Authentic late Victorian pieces display hand-cut dovetail drawer joints, natural timber patina, and original brass hardware or locks. Hand-painted decorations show delicate brushwork with minor age-appropriate surface craquelure under close inspection.

How can a satinwood cylinder bureau be styled in a modern interior?

A painted satinwood bureau serves as a focal piece in a hallway, bedroom, or study. Pairing it with a muted neutral backdrop and simple contemporary seating creates a contrast between historic craftsmanship and modern design.

How should painted antique furniture be maintained and preserved?

Keep the item away from direct sunlight, radiators, and damp environments to prevent wood movement or paint degradation. Dust gently with a dry microfibre cloth and avoid harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive polishes that could damage the painted finish.

for sale €2,750 $2,985

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Golden Satinwood Bureau

Satinwood Writing Bureau

Id #SA1204242

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Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

Name: Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1204242
Price: 2350 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a beautiful antique late Victorian Sheraton revival satin wood bureau, circa 1890 in date and hand painted in the manner of Angelica Kauffman.

It has been made from the finest satin wood with Gonçalo Alves banding.

The central fall features a beautiful hand painted panel of a musician serenading an elegant lady framed with garlands.

The bureau interior has its original pull-out writing surface fitted with a gold tooled inset leather. The interior with two small drawers and pigeon holes above three half width drawers on one side, and a half width drawer over a panel door on the other. The desk is fitted with the original and beautiful circuloar and embossed brass knob handles.

The bureau is equipped with its original working locks and keys.

It is ready to grace one of the rooms in your home.

Condition:

In really excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 99.5 cm x Width 76.5 cm x Depth 50 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 foot, 3 inches x Width 2 foot, 6 inches x Depth 1 foot, 8 inches

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek at Munich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Satin wood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satin wood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satin wood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satin wood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

Our reference: A5001

Physical Dimensions

Height

99.5cm (39.17")

Width

76.5cm (30.12")

Depth

50cm (19.69")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Satinwood Cylinder Writing Bureau to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1204242

Dealers Internal Reference

A5001

Description

This is a beautiful antique late Victorian Sheraton revival satin wood bureau, circa 1890 in date and hand painted in the manner of Angelica Kauffman.

It has been made from the finest satin wood with Gonçalo Alves banding.

“

The central fall features a beautiful hand painted panel of a musician serenading an elegant lady framed with garlands.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A late Victorian Sheraton Revival satinwood cylinder bureau featuring hand-painted floral swags, a central figural scene, and multiple small drawers above tapered legs. — fig 1. Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

The bureau interior has its original pull-out writing surface fitted with a gold tooled inset leather. The interior with two small drawers and pigeon holes above three half width drawers on one side, and a half width drawer over a panel door on the other. The desk is fitted with the original and beautiful circuloar and embossed brass knob handles.

fig 2. A late Victorian Sheraton Revival satinwood cylinder bureau featuring hand-painted floral swags, a central figural scene, and multiple small drawers above tapered legs. — fig 2. Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

The bureau is equipped with its original working locks and keys.

It is ready to grace one of the rooms in your home.

Condition:

In really excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 3. A late Victorian Sheraton Revival satinwood cylinder bureau featuring hand-painted floral swags, a central figural scene, and multiple small drawers above tapered legs. — fig 3. Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

Dimensions in cm:

Height 99.5 cm x Width 76.5 cm x Depth 50 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 3 foot, 3 inches x Width 2 foot, 6 inches x Depth 1 foot, 8 inches

Angelica Kauffman, RA (1741 - 1807)

was a Swiss-born Austrian Neoclassical painter who had a successful career in London and Rome. Though born as "Kauffmann", Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name in English; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.

fig 4. A late Victorian Sheraton Revival satinwood cylinder bureau featuring hand-painted floral swags, a central figural scene, and multiple small drawers above tapered legs. — fig 4. Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

While Kauffman produced many types of art, she identified herself primarily as a history painter, an unusual designation for a woman artist in the 18th century. History painting, was considered the most elite and lucrative category in academic painting during this time period. Under the direction of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the Royal Academy made a strong effort to promote history painting to a native audience who were more interested in commissioning and buying portraits and landscapes.

fig 5. A late Victorian Sheraton Revival satinwood cylinder bureau featuring hand-painted floral swags, a central figural scene, and multiple small drawers above tapered legs. — fig 5. Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

Despite the popularity that Kauffman enjoyed in British society and her success as an artist, she was disappointed by the relative apathy that the British had towards history painting. Ultimately she left Britain for the continent, where history painting was better established, held in higher esteem and patronized.

fig 6. A late Victorian Sheraton Revival satinwood cylinder bureau featuring hand-painted floral swags, a central figural scene, and multiple small drawers above tapered legs. — fig 6. Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

The works of Angelica Kauffman have retained their reputation. By 1911, rooms decorated with her work were still to be seen in various quarters. At Hampton Court was a portrait of the duchess of Brunswick; in the National Portrait Gallery, a self-portrait. There were other pictures by her at Paris, at Dresden, in the Hermitage at St Petersburg, in the Alte Pinakothek at Munich, in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn (Estonia).

Satin wood

is a hard and durable wood with a satinlike sheen, much used in cabinetmaking, especially in marquetry. It comes from two tropical trees of the family Rutaceae (rue family). East Indian or Ceylon satin wood is the yellowish or dark-brown heartwood of Chloroxylon swietenia.

The lustrous, fine-grained, usually figured wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneers, and backs of brushes. West Indian satin wood, sometimes called yellow wood, is considered superior. It is the golden yellow, lustrous, even-grained wood found in the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

fig 9. A late Victorian Sheraton Revival satinwood cylinder bureau featuring hand-painted floral swags, a central figural scene, and multiple small drawers above tapered legs. — fig 9. Antique English Late Victorian Sheraton Revival Satin Wood Bureau C.1890

It has long been valued for furniture. It is also used for musical instruments, veneers, and other purposes. Satin wood is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Rutaceae.

Our reference: A5001