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Very Fine George I Bureau Bookcase Attributed to Peter Miller

$205,832.18List Price

About the Item

In three parts, the upper section with double domed top and domed sides with a larger gilt urn finial in the centre flanked by smaller gilt urn finials on the corners, above a pair of arched mirror doors. Opening to an interior fitted with valenced pigeonholes above a central door opening to a recess and drawers flanked by flat-faced drawers above curved drawers. The middle section with a richly veneered fall front opening to a central fitted pull out section with hidden drawers at the rear and flanked by drawers to the sides. Also fitted with three sliding panels opening to reveal a secret well with hidden drawers concealed at the front. The frieze with a central arched broken front. The bottom section with molded waist and two short and one inset drawer over two long graduated drawers, the sides with conforming carrying handles. Raised on six original bun feet and retaining its original brass handles and mounts. At the time of writing Adam Bowett records that there are six pieces of furniture, which might reasonably be attributed to Miller, this bookcase being one of them. Aside from the similarities in form, style and metalware, which link them, they also share common quirks of construction and materials. All are made exclusively of walnut veneer on wainscot oak of the highest quality. No deal whatsoever is used in their construction, which is unusual even on the best English pieces of this date. The construction, while ostensibly conventional, is unusually precise, with an ‘engineered’ quality. The small interior drawers of the desks all have their sharp edges radiussed or ‘softened’, an unusual and rather personal touch. Several pieces evince a preoccupation with security and secrecy, not only in their multitude of secret drawers, but in the unusual locks which are of the highest technical standard. The locks to at least three of the desk slopes have false covers, which conceal all fixings, making them virtually impossible to remove. One cabinet has iron brackets in the upper doors, which engage with the carcase sides to prevent the doors being forced. Common to all the desks in the group is a molding of a curious profile, which flanks each side of the slope.

Attributed to:
Peter Miller (Cabinetmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 89 in (226.06 cm)Width: 43.5 in (110.49 cm)Depth: 25 in (63.5 cm)
Style:
George I (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Walnut,Veneer
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
Early 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1720
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4249112816922

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