What characterises 18th-century Dutch floral marquetry bureaux?

18th-century Dutch floral marquetry bureaux are distinguished by intricate wood inlay featuring urns, foliage, and flowers set into rich burr walnut veneers. Originating in the Netherlands during the 18th century, these pieces combine functional slant-front writing surfaces with shaped drawer bases.

What materials were traditionally used in constructing Dutch bureaux?

Craftsmen typically utilised solid oak frame construction veneered with figured burr walnut, with marquetry details executed in various fruitwoods and hardwoods. Cast brass brassware, escutcheons, and dovetailed joinery are classic hallmarks of these cases.

How can an authentic 18th-century Dutch bureau be identified?

Authentic examples exhibit hand-cut dovetail joints, oak drawer linings, original cast brass fittings, and signs of natural shrinkage or oxidation in the wood veneers. The marquetry usually displays fine detail with subtle variations inherent to hand-cut marquetry techniques.

How can a Dutch marquetry bureau be incorporated into a modern interior?

A marquetry bureau serves as a focal point in a home office, living room, or hallway when paired with contemporary art or minimalist decor. The warm wood tones contrast effectively against neutral walls, balancing antique character with modern simplicity.

How should a burr walnut marquetry bureau be maintained?

Keep the furniture away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent wood shrinkage, lifting veneers, or fading. Apply high-grade beeswax sparingly along the grain and dust regularly with a clean, dry microfibre cloth.

for sale €8,775 $9,525

£7,500

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Bombe Marquetry Bureau

18th Century Slant Desk

Dutch Fall Front Bureau

Bureau Chest of Drawers

Id #SA767573

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Antique Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau C.1780

18th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a stunning antique late 18th Century Dutch burr walnut and marquetry bombe' bureau.

It has been accomplished in burr walnut, with exquisite hand cut floral marquetry typical of the very best pieces of period Dutch furniture.

The serpentine fall opens to reveal a fabulous interior with a myriad of small drawers and several secret compartments, there is a small central mirror doored cupboard which is flanked by a pair of columns with secret compartments that slide out.

There is a secret well that is accessed from the secretaire interior and there are three capacious full width drawers. The brass handles and escutcheons are original and in excellent condition and it is complete with the original working locks and keys.

The front of the bureau is a wonderful double serpentine shape, it stands on it's original lion's paw feet and the drawer linings and back are of solid oak.

It is Circa 1780 in date, is in truly remarkable condition for its age and this exceptional piece represents a fantastic example of 18th century Dutch cabinetry at its very finest.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 111 x Width 141 x Depth 65

Dimensions in inches:

Height 43.7 x Width 55.5 x Depth 25.6

Burr Walnut

refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished, and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produces some of the most complex and beautiful figuring you can find.

Marquetry

is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, mother of pearl, pewter, brass silver or shell) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers.

The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique.

Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing shell and brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs.

Our reference: 07653

Physical Dimensions

Height

111cm (43.70")

Width

141cm (55.51")

Depth

65cm (25.59")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Dutch Marquetry Bureau Desk to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA767573

Dealers Internal Reference

07653

Description

This is a stunning antique late 18th Century Dutch burr walnut and marquetry bombe' bureau.

“

It has been accomplished in burr walnut, with exquisite hand cut floral marquetry typical of the very best pieces of period Dutch furniture.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. An eighteenth-century Dutch burr walnut slant-front bureau featuring intricate floral marquetry inlay across the desk flap and drawer fronts. — fig 1. Antique Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau C.1780

The serpentine fall opens to reveal a fabulous interior with a myriad of small drawers and several secret compartments, there is a small central mirror doored cupboard which is flanked by a pair of columns with secret compartments that slide out.

fig 2. An eighteenth-century Dutch burr walnut slant-front bureau featuring intricate floral marquetry inlay across the desk flap and drawer fronts. — fig 2. Antique Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau C.1780

There is a secret well that is accessed from the secretaire interior and there are three capacious full width drawers. The brass handles and escutcheons are original and in excellent condition and it is complete with the original working locks and keys.

fig 3. An eighteenth-century Dutch burr walnut slant-front bureau featuring intricate floral marquetry inlay across the desk flap and drawer fronts. — fig 3. Antique Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau C.1780

The front of the bureau is a wonderful double serpentine shape, it stands on it's original lion's paw feet and the drawer linings and back are of solid oak.

It is Circa 1780 in date, is in truly remarkable condition for its age and this exceptional piece represents a fantastic example of 18th century Dutch cabinetry at its very finest.

fig 4. An eighteenth-century Dutch burr walnut slant-front bureau featuring intricate floral marquetry inlay across the desk flap and drawer fronts. — fig 4. Antique Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau C.1780

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 111 x Width 141 x Depth 65

Dimensions in inches:

Height 43.7 x Width 55.5 x Depth 25.6

Burr Walnut

refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished, and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produces some of the most complex and beautiful figuring you can find.

Marquetry

is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, mother of pearl, pewter, brass silver or shell) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers.

The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique.

fig 8. An eighteenth-century Dutch burr walnut slant-front bureau featuring intricate floral marquetry inlay across the desk flap and drawer fronts. — fig 8. Antique Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau C.1780

Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing shell and brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs.

Our reference: 07653