Mahogany Bureau Bookcases
BUREAU BOOKCASES — mahogany
A Chinese lacquer double-domed bureau bookcase on serpentine bracket feet. Note how the constructional features are similar to those of walnut pieces — double-D moulding (gilded) etc. Finials are missing.
1720-1740
Assume original lacquer price is $30,000 — 40,000 If lacquer 20th century $4, 000 — 8, 000
A magnificent mahogany bureau bookcase under the influence of William Kent’s architectural style — fluted pillar decoration, splendid broken pediment, canted fluted pillar corners to the bureau, serpentine bracket feet. 8ft. 6ins. high. A very wide piece though — 5ft. 2ins. —and possibly designed for a specific room. The name rather than the quality or size makes it so expensive. Top price for documented piece or one with good provenance. 1740-1750
Another lacquer bureau bookcase of similar quality shown with the mirrored doors open. Again good mouldings and returns (i.e. the side mouldings). 1720-1740
A mahogany bureau bookcase with broken pediment including dentil frieze, canted fluted corners. Note the use of small side drawers as supports for the fall. 1750-1760
A George III mahogany bureau cabinet with panelled doors, showing an interesting grain and a plain frieze with dentil moulding. The interior is elaborately fitted. The fall is inlaid with the initials WM and the date 1767. This is a piece of reasonable quality but with a plain top is not particularly exciting. It is 7ft. lin. high.
Bureau bookcase in mahogany veneer with glazed doors and broken pediment. A very standard piece which joins the utility of the bureau with the even more desirable feature of display. 1750-1770
Mahogany A la Chippendale — fretted broken pediment and frieze; blind fretted carcase edges and even the bracket feet are carved. As elaborate pediments add to the price and as few Chippendale wardrobes still retain them, make sure the two parts started life together. 1750-1770
Fretted broken pediment, elegant glazed doors, bracket feet, vase and ribbon inlaid into fall and a satinwood frieze under the top moulding. 1780-1790
Hepplewhite elegance in mahogany; splayed feet, veneered and inlaid doors, glazed top and fretted broken pediment and central platform for a finial, not present. Note how well the veneers are matched — just to show Grandad Walnut that the new boys could do it too — a highly considered piece.
A highly decorated Sheraton mahogany bureau bookcase with nicely matched veneers and ornate inlays, on splay feet. Thought to be Scottish.
A straightforward mahogany bureau bookcase of late Georgian period, without decoration. Made repeatedly up to and including the present day. 1790-1810
A nineteenth century reproduction, worthy of Edwards and Roberts, in mahogany with satinwood cross-banding. 1880-1910
Tags: Bookcase, BOOKCASES, cabinet, Chippendale, constructional features, george iii, lacquer, mahogany veneer, moulding, pillar, satinwood, Veneers, walnut pieces, William Kent