AN UNUSUAL GEORGE II MAHOGANY SLANT FRONT BUREAU circa 1760

of serpentine form, the rectangular top above a shaped fall front opening to a leather lined writing surface and fitted with small drawers below pigeon holes below further valanced small drawers, the lower part of serpentine form with two short and three long graduated drawers with elaborate gilt brass foliate handles, the canted corners with blind fret ornament, and supported on conforming molding and shaped ogee bracket feet.

Overall with a good old wax patination with good variation of color and usual old marks and scratches. Fall-front very slightly warped and with small cracks. Some small losses and bumps to cockbeading on drawers and small veneer loss to corner of top. Handles have traces of old surface and do not appear to have been cleaned. Leather appears to be old, if not original.
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.

This bureau, which is conceived in finely figured mahogany, is of a particularly unusual form, the serpentine base being mirrored by the curved profile of the upper part. The form of the original foliate ornamented handles is closely related to two handles, numbers 311 and 312, shown in an eighteenth century anonymous brass founders catalogue illustrating various items of hardware.

See:
Theodore R. Crom, An Eighteenth Century English Brass Hardware Catalogue, Florida, 1994