George I Burr Walnut Double Domed Bureau Bookcase (c. 1715 England)

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105.50cm wide    222.00cm high    60.00cm deep (41.54 inches wide  87.40 inches high  23.62 inches deep)

The bureau-bookcase has a 'double-domed' upper section with the
additional feature of a dome on each side return and retains its
original turned walnut finials and bevelled mirror plates. Behind the
two doors is a fully fitted interior with pigeon holes, folio slides and
shelves. Below each door is a candle slide.

The lower section has a very well figured fall concealing an old leather
writing surface, hidden well and a bank of concave fronted drawers and
pigeon holes. Below the fall are two short and two long drawers
divided by double cock-beaded mouldings banded with
herringbone inlay. The bookcase stands on turned bun feet.

This marvellous bookcase, which is a particularly good colour, benefits
greatly from the cabinet makers attention to detail. The burr walnut
veneers have all been carefully selected for their figure. All its original
brass handles and escutcheons have been engraved and it retains the
most attractive hinges to the upper doors.

Particularly unusual are the mouldings that define the shape of the
domes. This shape might be described as a 'hipped' dome, but it is also
the depth of these mouldings and the sweeping movement that they
create that is so special. The quality of this work is far above that seen
on most bookcases of this early age.