18th Century Venetian Bureau Bookcase

This is a fabulous antique Italian bureau bookcase, made in Venice, circa 1750. It has been made from the finest burr walnut with walnut crossbanding and boxwood inlaid lines. The top has two mirrored doors with a small cherub engraved mirror above them. The door open to reveal two shelves, two small drawers. The base has useful storage space with three capacious drawers. The top section interiors have been lined in a golden satin. The bureau fall can be lowered for use as a desk and the interior has two small drawers and two small cupboards which provide ample space for storing pens, papers, etc. It has its original handles as well as working locks and keys. This is an absolutely unique piece! Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 226 x width 91 x depth 50. Dimensions in inches: Height 7 feet, 5 inches x width 3 feet x depth 1 foot, 8 inches. Burr walnut. Refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow. Burr walnut produces some of the most complex and beautiful figuring you can find. Walnut. The walnut woods are probably the most recognisable and popular of all the exotic woods, having been used in furniture making for many centuries. Walnut veneer was highly priced and the cost would reflect the ‘fanciness’ of the veneer – the more decorative, then the more expensive and desirable.