Antique George II Petite Fruitwood and Cedarwood Bureau, 1750

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Fine george ii petite fruitwood and cedarwood bureau, circa 1750 material: fruitwood, cedarwood, oak, brass, steel a particularly beautiful and … Read more Fine george ii petite fruitwood and cedarwood bureau, circa 1750 material: fruitwood, cedarwood, oak, brass, steel a particularly beautiful and unusually petite george ii period bureau dating to circa 1750, finely constructed in fruitwood, possibly cherry, with cedar-lined drawers and an exceptionally attractive fitted writing interior. Of wonderfully compact proportions, the bureau displays sophisticated cabinetmaking throughout and incorporates design elements associated with the fashionable furniture of the mid-18th century. The fall-front opens on its original hinges and rests firmly and level upon the original slide-out oak lopers, creating a practical writing surface. Behind the fall is a beautifully fitted interior incorporating exceptionally slender shaped pigeonhole divisions together with a series of small drawers. The upper drawer features an attractive breakfront design centred by a finely carved starburst motif, positioned above two further shaped breakfront drawers. Two longer drawers flank the fitted interior, while the smaller drawers retain their brass button handles. The interior drawers are cedar lined and display finely formed traditional dovetail joints. Remarkably, the cedar retains its distinctive aromatic character. Beneath the writing section are three principal graduated drawers, each fully lined in cedarwood and providing useful storage within the bureau's compact proportions. The brass handles are appropriate to the period and occupy their original positions. Their established wear and patination, together with the absence of evidence for previous fittings beneath, suggests they may be original to the bureau, although this cannot be stated conclusively. The bureau also retains its original steel locks, adding further to the historic integrity of the piece. Particularly attractive are the beautifully shaped bracket feet, united visually by a hand-carved waved apron extending across the front and sides. This elegant lower section gives the bureau a distinctive and wonderfully balanced silhouette. The fruitwood has developed an excellent warm colour and established patina over approximately 275 years, complementing the contrasting cedar and oak used throughout the internal construction. At only 30 inches wide, the bureau is exceptionally small for its type. Its unusually petite scale may indicate that it was originally commissioned for a specific purpose or individual, although its precise original use cannot be confirmed. Presented in excellent antique condition considering its circa 1750 origin, retaining a remarkable degree of original construction and remaining fully usable today. A rare and highly appealing george ii bureau, combining unusually petite proportions, sophisticated fitted interiors, aromatic cedar-lined drawers and beautiful mid-18th-century craftsmanship. Dimensions: height: 30.5 inches (77.5 cm) width: 30 inches (76.2 cm) depth: 16.25 inches (41.3 cm) height to underside of extended fall: 22 inches (55.9 cm) internal usable drawer heights: top drawer: 2.75 inches (7 cm) middle drawer: 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) bottom drawer: 4.75 inches (12.1 cm) weight: approximately 35 kg (77 lb). See less