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ID #SA69221
FOR SALE
£24,000
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William & Mary Black Japanned Bureau Bookcase
AJD Antiques
for sale €28,080     $30,480
£24,000
AJD Antiques

AJD Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2010
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    Founder of ajd antiques, jonathan dyas has a life-long passion for sourcing and returning to the market an eclectic range of antiques.
Id #SA69221
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William & Mary Black Japanned Bureau Bookcase

18th century
For Sale by AJD Antiques
Description

A William & Mary black japanned bureau bookcase heightened with gilt chinoiseries, the rectangular ogee moulded cornice above a pair of arched bevelled mirrored doors enclosing three shelves, above a pair of candleslides and a sloping fall enclosing a later leather lined fall, decorated with fishermen in a river landscape beside a village; enclosing twelve pigeonholes and a sliding well hiding two secret drawers, above two short and two long similarly decorated graduated drawers, the sides with exotic birds, trees and houses on later bun feet, decoration refreshed, interior doors redecorated.

Width - 39" (99cms)

Depth - 22" (56cms)

Height - 80" (203cms)

Physical Dimensions
Height
203cm (79.92")
Width
99cm (38.98")
Depth
56cm (22.05")
Declaration

AJD Antiques has dated this Black Japanned Bureau Bookcase to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA69221
Dealers Internal Reference
28011
Description
A William & Mary black japanned bureau bookcase heightened with gilt chinoiseries, the rectangular ogee moulded cornice above a pair of arched bevelled mirrored doors enclosing three shelves, above a pair of candleslides and a sloping fall enclosing a later leather lined fall, decorated with fishermen in a river landscape beside a village; enclosing twelve pigeonholes and a sliding well hiding two secret drawers, above two short and two long similarly decorated graduated drawers, the sides with exotic birds, trees and houses on later bun feet, decoration refreshed, interior doors redecorated.

Width - 39" (99cms)

Depth - 22" (56cms)

Height - 80" (203cms)

Height
203cm (79.92")
Width
99cm (38.98")
Depth
56cm (22.05")
Date of Manufacture

AJD Antiques has dated this Black Japanned Bureau Bookcase to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA69221
Dealers Internal Ref
28011
AJD Antiques
AJD Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2010

Founder of ajd antiques, jonathan dyas has a life-long passion for sourcing and returning to the market an eclectic range of antiques.

Dealer Profile

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

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A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet.
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Archive I A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet.

William & Mary Black Japanned Bureau Bookcase

Archive II A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View II
Archive III A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View III
Archive IV A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View IV
Archive V A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View V
Archive VI A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View VI
Archive VII A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View VII
Archive VIII A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View VIII
Archive IX A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View IX
Archive X A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Location
West London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/ajd
Verified Since Feb 2010
Items For Sale 162
Items Sold 585
AJD Antiques
AJD Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: West London, United Kingdom
Verified
Feb 2010
For Sale
162
Sold
585
A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet.
William & Mary Black Japanned Bureau Bookcase
Ref: SA69221
A William and Mary black japanned bureau bookcase featuring gold chinoiserie motifs, double-arched mirrored doors, a slant-front writing desk, and drawers raised on bun feet.
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Archival Detail
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.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Originating in the late seventeenth century during the reign of William III and Mary II, japanned furniture refers to European wood pieces finished with layers of varnish designed to imitate Asian lacquerwork. These pieces typically feature dark backgrounds decorated with raised gilt chinoiserie motifs depicting landscapes, figures, and botanical elements.

Carcase structures were typically constructed from pine, oak, or deal, coated in successive layers of resin-based spirit or oil varnishes to create the japanned finish. Applied gilding, hand-cast brass hardware, and mercury-gilded or silvered mirror plates were standard components of high-status furniture from this era.

Authentic pieces from this period exhibit hand-sawn timber marks, thick oak drawer linings with heavy hand-cut dovetail joints, and original bun feet attached via turned pegs. The japanned surface should display natural fine cracking, known as craquelure, consistent with aged varnish rather than modern paint.

A japanned bureau bookcase serves as a dramatic focal point when positioned against neutral walls in a study, hallway, or living space. Balancing its dark finish and intricate gilt detailing with tailored modern upholstery creates a sophisticated contrast between historic craftsmanship and contemporary minimalism.

Preserving japanned furniture requires a stable climate with consistent humidity to prevent timber movement and lacquer flaking. Dusting should be performed gently with a soft dry microfibre cloth, avoiding commercial chemical polishes, waxes, or water which can cloud or dissolve historic varnish layers.
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