George I Figured Walnut English Scriptor, Secret Drawers, Circa 1720

A particularly fine and very original English walnut scriptor with an excellent colour and retaining original split pin brass drop handles throughout.

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This scriptor has the most numerous and ingenious secret drawers we have ever found on such a piece - with small oak drawers concealed behind the uppermost row of pigeon holes (which slide forward to reveal the drawers behind) each still with its original red ribbon handle. The central door opens to reveal a void interior with lovely polished walnut backboard, but by releasing a drawer to the right hand side, the backboard slides to the right to reveal another small bank of drawers again with original ribbon handles. Further drawers are located behind the interior drawers and the small central door below the cupboard retains the original inkwells and dividers. The lock to the fall original and in working order with an early working key. All of the drawers have a lovely double featherbanded border an extremely costly detail at the time that this made. Original bracket feet, backboards, top boards etc, no later timbers. Very well executed ogee waste and cornice mouldings, again with a lovely patina. Concealed cushion fronted drawer just below the cornice is oak lined and well fitted with a full oak lining.

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The colour is superb with a rich natural glow from years of use, wax and care. The drawers all retain their original oak linings and open and close smoothly. The carcase is pine covered with very thickly cut and beautifully figured walnut with deep crossbanded borders to the upper and lower side panels and lovely bookmatched veneers. The front of the fall with an inlaid featherbanded geometric design. Some very old shrinkage to the exterior face of the fall, stabile and not going anywhere and shown in our photos.

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The fall is inset with a thickly cut brown hide and rises and falls smoothly and properly resting on original hand-forged iron hinges.

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Of small compact proportions, this beautiful piece of early Walnut furniture will light up any room and is entirely practical for use in today's wireless world, having space for a laptop in the central well and a strong and flat writing surface at a height which will work with a standard desk chair.

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Strongly recommended, a really stunning and rare example.

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Dimensions are:

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67 inches high, 18 inches deep (max at cornice and feet) and 40 inches wide (max at cornice).

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For metric please multiply by 2.5

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