An Important George I Burr and Figured Walnut Desk-and-Bookcase Circa 1725

in three parts, and finely veneered overall in richly figured burr walnut with fine line inlays, the upper section with molded arched cornice centered by a lozenge-shaped molding enclosing a beveled mirror plate above two arched doors with beveled mirror plates opening to an interior fitted with two small arched fall-front cupboards above two shallow cavetto-fronted drawers over arched pigeon holes flanking drawers with niches mounted with carved giltwood allegorical figures of Justice and Mars and further flanked by deep drawers above a pair of concave doors enclosing a cupboard with double-arched secret drawer and a shelf, flanked by two spring-loaded document drawers with sliding panels and concealed within engaged half-round pilasters headed by Corinthian capitals and with small drawers and folio slides above a further arrangement of ogee-arched pigeon holes above a concave drawer and flanked by small and long drawers, all over two candle slides, the middle section with a fall fitted with a book rest and opening to an interior fitted an arrangement of twelve long and short small drawers centering concealed leather book spine-fronted document drawers and a small cupboard above a sliding panel and a leather-lined writing surface, the bottom section fitted with two short and two long graduated drawers, raised on bracket feet.  Restored, one drawer with illegible chalk inscription.

Mallett, London

Lanto Synge, Mallett's Great English Furniture, London: Bulfinch Press, 1991, p. 248, fig. 287

Lower section: The lower section with usual lifting to cross-cut surrounds of drawers due to shrinkage, feet on veneered in burr walnut; age cracks to sides and minor patches to top edge of right side; tearing to veneers of feet; Right side panel with patch and probably original with slight discoloration; small circular to veneer; small triangular patch to back right foot. Small veneer patch to front right foot; small patch to feather banding above keyhole escutcheon to long drawer. Middle section: With lifting and shrinkage and minor replacements to cross-cut waisted molding; slant front now with a glossy finish; lifting and replacements to cross-cut molding; escutcheon later; minor tearing to right center side; age cracks to sides of case with replacements infilling and inpainting especially to side front corners; right side corner with two plugs; shrinkage and minor replacements to cross-cut waisted moldings. Upper Section: With later finials and finished plinths; losses to gilding of finials the cross-cut sections of the cornice with shrinkage, losses and minor replacements and separations at joins to be expected; tympanum with age cracks and tearing to veneer above inset mirror which appears to be an old plate; molding to underside with repaired breaks and later nails; lifting, separations and replacements to cross-cut molding of doors and mirror plates; mirror plates appear to be original and with oxidation, pitting and crystallization to bottoms of plates; losses to silvering now with a high gloss finish; age cracks to sides, replacements to veneers especially along the bottom edge; escutcheons later. Interior: Warpage to inside panels of doors, left panel with worm damage and age cracks; door hardware appears to be replaced; hardware to hinged flaps later; separations to cross-cut molded sections; carved figures in niches probably later; niches with walnut grain-painting; document slots later; glossy finish; hinges and lock to prospect door later; later gilding to capitals and socles; prospect doors with small plugs in arch.
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 exceptional desk-and-bookcase is notable not only for the use of the finely figured burr walnut veneers, but also for the unusually elaborate fitted interiors with its complete arrangement found both in the upper part and within the fall, with small document drawers, pigeon holes and folio slides.

Its form illustrates the pinnacle of a design which had gradually evolved during the late 17th/early 18th century from the early form of a moveable desk in the form of a box with a rising sloping lid which was used as a book or paper rest. This form was described in 1584 as 'a little holowe desk lyk a coffer, whereupon men do write,' and was commonly fashioned in oak, which was occasionally painted, covered in leather or carved.  In the late 1670s this form is found on a fixed stand, the hinges on the slope being reversed to enable the inner 'slope' to be used as a writing surface, which was supported on extending lopers.  By the late 1690s this form of desk was fitted below with drawers, and by the early 1700s the first 'desks-and-bookcases' appeared.  As can be seen in the present piece, which is constructed in three distinctive parts, one can still clearly discern the origins of the design and although the central desk no longer extends over the chest base, it is still separated by a large molding. As noted by Dr. Adam Bowett, English Furniture 1660-1714 From Charles II to Queen Anne, Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2002, Chapter Seven, 'Case Furniture 1689-1714,' pp. 221-223, fig. 7:53, separating a carcase into three has no obvious merit other than to allow a cabinet shop to utilize its workmen more efficiently, different skills being required in the making of the carcase and drawers and the interior fitments. This form of construction did, however, continue into the 1730s.

The actual description 'desk-and-bookcase' appears to be first recorded in the accounts of the Royal cabinet-maker Gerrit Jensen (fl.1680-d.1715) who supplied several for the Royal Household from 1710 (Bowett, op. cit.), and another described as 'a walnut writing desk, the top for books and patons and glass in the doors asked' for the 5th Earl of Salisbury, Hatfield House.  Another maker of this form of desk was the London cabinet-maker John Gumley (1691-1727) who advertised in Richard Steele's Lover on April 24 1714 that he 'hath taken for a Ware-house, and furnished all the upper Part of the New Exchange in the Strand' continuing with an extensive list of his stock including 'Desks and Bookcases.' In 1714 he supplied one of these in walnut to James 1^st Duke of Montrose for the sum of £11.

A related desk-and-bookcase with similar interior to the upper section was formerly in the collection of Mr. & Mrs. Jerome C. Neuhoff; this was also richly veneered in burr walnut, the arrangement of the upper part similarly having concave-fronted drawers and standing figures within niches above the concealed document drawers, which have gilt Corinthian capitals (See: The Magazine Antiques, May 1963, p. 540). A related desk-and-bookcase was sold in these rooms, October 12, 2007, lot 65, the molded broken-arched cornice centered by a lozenge-shaped panel.