Cylinder and Tambour Bureaux
BUREAUX — cylinder and tambour
The use of a sliding cylinder or tambour instead of a fall seems to have become most prevalent in the late eighteenth century and to have continued in use throughout the nineteenth, when the roll-top desk became widely used in offices.
This form of writing desk or bureau merits a section on its own although the value points, apart from the cylinder or tambour itself, are the same as those of bureaux and bureau bookcases of the same period. It should be noted, however, that since this is a more expensive way of covering the interior section than the fall front, these pieces tended to be of reasonably high craftsmanship.
A high quality Sheraton cylinder writing desk and bookcase, shown both open and closed. The piece is in harewood, with oval mahogany inlaid panels of finely figured wood. Note how the writing surface slides out to give greater space. 1790-1810
A burr yew writing cabinet, banded in satinwood and shown with its top open and the drawer, which is fitted like that of a dressing table or chest, also opened. The broken pediment has a vase-shaped finial. The glazing bars are arched in Gothic style. Both bureau and bookcase are fitted with carrying handles. 1790-1810
A satinwood writing table with a dome-shaped tambour top and fitted with side slides. It is inlaid with marquetry and exhibits a very high degree of craftsmanship. 1790-1810
A mahogany writing table with a dome-shaped tambour top, shown open to reveal the inner drawings and fittings. Like the previous example it is fitted with slides at the sides.
A mahogany writing desk on square tapering legs, inlaid with stringing lines. There is a brass rail, or gallery, around the top.
A bureau with glazed cabinet above, on splayed feet.
A cylinder bureau bookcase with cabinet doors beneath, inlaid with stringing lines. The feet are a later Victorian replacement. Again the mahogany veneer is of very fine quality. 1820-1840
A cylinder mahogany bureau on fluted bun feet, with a brass gallery. The quality of veneer chosen is very high. 1830-1840
A kingwood cylinder bureau bookcase on square tapering legs, with much use of inset panel decoration. 1810-1830
A cylinder lady’s writing desk in mahogany, with a brass gallery. The columns at the front are decorated with twist and fluted carving. The piece is clearly influenced by French Empire neo-classical styles. 1810-1830
A rosewood and brass-inlaid cylinder desk and bookcase on turned legs. 1820-1830
A late Victorian ‘Sheraton’ style satinwood cylinder lady’s writing cabinet with oval panels. The Sheraton revival came late in the nineteenth century. 1870-1890
Tags: Bookcase, bureau, Bureaux, drawer, late eighteenth century, mahogany, mahogany veneer, marquetry, pediment, roll top desk, satinwood, veneer, writing cabinet, writing desk