A George I parcel-gilt scarlet japanned desk-and-bookcase in the manner of John Belchier circa 1720

The upper section with double-dome cornice above a pair of doors fitted with later bevelled mirror plates opening to a pair of central prospect doors flanked by folio slides and secret drawers beneath valanced pigeonholes and above an arrangement of small drawers; the apron fitted with a pair of candle slides; the lower section fitted with a slant-front opening to a central niche flanked by secret drawers, pigeonholes, and small drawers, before a sliding panel; case fitted with a pair of small drawers above two graduated long drawers, the whole raised on bun feet.

Overall fair restored condition; finials with restorations and later gilding, but possibly original; front right finial slightly loose, front right corner of cornice with large age crack and slightly loose; mirror plates replaced; cracks, small damages, and losses around the hinges of the doors; right door with losses to the molding to top left corner; losses to the japanning to the moldings around the mirror plates; the interior with small losses and chips and flaking to the japanning, mainly to moldings; the japanned panel to the backside of the right mirrored door with large age crack with minor inpainting and warpage; the lower section with minor old worm damage to top of case; the slant front with long horizontal age crack; some small chips and losses to raised gilded decoration on slant front, and to areas on drawer front; the left side panel with two large losses to gilded decoration, one to neck of the swan, and one to a large flower pedal; right side panel with two large losses to gilded decoration of figure's sleeve and to tip of one flower pedal and to one rockwork outcropping; restorations to backboards; blocks to the tops of bun feet replaced; bun feet possibly original; overall the japanned surface has been conserved and restored at some point; the side panels appear to retain the majority of their original decoration with possibly a light glaze; the whole would benefit from sympathetic conservation
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present desk-and-bookcase with its double-dome top and fitted interior is very similiar to a scarlet-japanned desk-and-bookcase at Erddig, Wales (illustrated, Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture, 1715-1740, Woodbridge, 2009, p. 61, plate 2:16); The Erdigg bookcase has been tentively attributed to Belchier who is known to have supplied furniture for the house.  It is recorded in an inventory of 1726 in the Blew Mohair Room.