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ID #SA1142471
FOR SALE
£2,400
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Impressive “Red Walnut” Bureau Bookcase or Cabinet, Circa 1740
For sale by WelshAntiques
for sale €2,808     $3,048
£2,400
WelshAntiques

WelshAntiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2011
Browse dealers 143 items
  • About Us
    Leading specialist in welsh furniture and folk art for 56 years
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Id #SA1142471
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Impressive “Red Walnut” Bureau Bookcase or Cabinet, Circa 1740

18th century
For Sale by WelshAntiques
Description

A tall and well-proportioned bureau bookcase, or cabinet, in a rich mahogany of the early type that has traditionally been called "red walnut". The top section has a bold cornice incorporating broken-dentil carving, above a pair of panelled doors within serpentine frames, with large brass escutcheon plates and enclosing an interior with adjustable shelves, with candle slides below; the base section has a fall front enclosing a fully fitted interior, including secret compartments, above four graduated oak-lined cock-beaded drawers with brass handles, the whole raised on shaped bracket feet.

Caernarfon, north Wales, circa 1740.

This magnificent piece has a wonderful colour and surface patination, which varies from a deep rich finish to slightly faded on the bureau fall.

By family repute, this was made for a successful sea captain and privateer who built a large house for his retirement in Caernarfon, north Wales.

(Brass handles are period, but replaced; some of the feet have been replaced; a few minor defects commensurate with age)

Height: 92.25 inches (Top: 48, base 44.25); 234.5 cms.

Width across base: 48 inches; 122 cms. Across cornice 49.5 inches; 126 cms.

Depth to base of bureau fall: 22.75 inches; 58 cms.

Physical Dimensions
Height
234cm (92.13")
Width
126cm (49.61")
Depth
58cm (22.83")
Declaration

WelshAntiques has dated this Georgian Walnut Bureau Bookcase to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1142471
Dealers Notes

Items purchased can be stored and collected by mutual agreement, although we are always happy to help with delivery arrangements (just email us at with your postcode or country & zip code to obtain a competitive quote).

Please click on the 'About Us' button on the top left hand side of the screen for more information, including Terms and Conditions of sale.

Description
A tall and well-proportioned bureau bookcase, or cabinet, in a rich mahogany of the early type that has traditionally been called "red walnut". The top section has a bold cornice incorporating broken-dentil carving, above a pair of panelled doors within serpentine frames, with large brass escutcheon plates and enclosing an interior with adjustable shelves, with candle slides below; the base section has a fall front enclosing a fully fitted interior, including secret compartments, above four graduated oak-lined cock-beaded drawers with brass handles, the whole raised on shaped bracket feet.
fig 1. An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles.
fig 1. Impressive “Red Walnut” Bureau Bookcase or Cabinet, Circa 1740

Caernarfon, north Wales, circa 1740.

“
This magnificent piece has a wonderful colour and surface patination, which varies from a deep rich finish to slightly faded on the bureau fall.
WelshAntiques

By family repute, this was made for a successful sea captain and privateer who built a large house for his retirement in Caernarfon, north Wales.

fig 2. An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles.
fig 2. Impressive “Red Walnut” Bureau Bookcase or Cabinet, Circa 1740

(Brass handles are period, but replaced; some of the feet have been replaced; a few minor defects commensurate with age)

Height: 92.25 inches (Top: 48, base 44.25); 234.5 cms.

Width across base: 48 inches; 122 cms. Across cornice 49.5 inches; 126 cms.

Depth to base of bureau fall: 22.75 inches; 58 cms.

Height
234cm (92.13")
Width
126cm (49.61")
Depth
58cm (22.83")
Date of Manufacture

WelshAntiques has dated this Georgian Walnut Bureau Bookcase to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1142471
WelshAntiques
WelshAntiques
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2011

Leading specialist in welsh furniture and folk art for 56 years

Dealer Profile

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

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An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles.
1 / 13
Archive I An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles.

Impressive “Red Walnut” Bureau Bookcase or Cabinet, Circa 1740

Archive II An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View II
Archive III An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles.
Archive V An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View VIII
Archive IX An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View IX
Archive X An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View X
Archive XI An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View XI
Archive XII An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View XII
Archive XIII An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles. View XIII
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WelshAntiques

WelshAntiques
Telephone 01554 890 534
Location
WelshAntiques
Castle Mill
Kidwelly
Carmarthenshire
SA17 5AJ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/welsh
Verified Since May 2011
Items For Sale 143
Items Sold 114
WelshAntiques
WelshAntiques
Verified Since May 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: WelshAntiques, Castle Mill, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, SA17 5AJ, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/welsh
Verified
May 2011
For Sale
143
Sold
114
An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles.
Impressive “Red Walnut” Bureau Bookcase or Cabinet, circa 1740
Ref: SA1142471
An 18th-century early Georgian red walnut bureau bookcase featuring shaped fielded panel doors on the upper cabinet, a slant-front writing slope, four graduated drawers, and brass handles.
Detail View 1
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Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectBureau Bookcases
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorge II
  • MaterialRed Walnut, Brass
  • ColourDark Reddish Brown
  • MotifsFielded panel doors, Fall-front slope, Brass drop handles, Bracket feet
  • SizeH 234 cm (92 in) x W 126 cm (50 in) x D 58 cm (23 in)

This Georgian bureau bookcase dates from circa 1740 in the George II style. The piece uses red walnut and brass, displaying a dark reddish-brown colour with a rich dark finish and lighter tones on the fall-front slope. Details visible in the wood and construction include a moulded cornice at the top, a pair of tall cabinet doors with shaped serpentine panels, brass keyhole escutcheon plates, a sloped fall-front writing surface, four graduated exterior drawers fitted with oval brass drop handles, and shaped bracket feet at the base. The cabinet measures 234 cm high, 126 cm wide, and 58 cm deep. In a modern home, this substantial storage item works effectively in a study, library, or traditional living space to house books and stationery while providing a dedicated writing desk surface.

FAQs

Developed in the early 18th century, a bureau bookcase combines a slant-front writing desk with an upper storage cabinet and lower chest of drawers, serving as a functional workspace and storage unit in Georgian interiors.

Early Georgian cabinetmakers frequently utilised timbers such as walnut, red walnut, and early Cuban mahogany, paired with hand-cast brass hardware, oak or pine drawer linings, and hand-cut dovetail joinery.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-sawn timber marks, hand-cut drawer linings, original brass escutcheons, hand-forged iron hinges, and natural patination along high-touch surfaces.

Position the bureau bookcase as a focal statement piece in a study, hallway, or living room, pairing dark timber tones with neutral wall colours, contemporary lighting, and minimalist decorative ceramics.

Preserve the finish by dusting regularly with a dry cloth, applying high-grade beeswax annually, and maintaining stable humidity levels away from direct sunlight and heat radiators.
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