The Antique Bureau is a term used for a writing desk with a sloping fall-front and is one of the earliest forms of writing furniture, first seen in the Mid 17th Century. The antique bureau is a french design but copied by English Cabinet makers. They would use gate legs to support the fall fronts but by the 18th century the gate leg supports were replaced by sliding pull out loppers at each side as this was a much more practical design. Antique bureaux come with interesting features such as small drawers, pigeon holes, sliding bookends or bible wells to conceal important documents or jewellery. Until the mid 18th Century the bureau section was a free standing, but then it was combined with a chest of drawers making the more well known Georgian Bureau design. Mouldings on the fronts of the dust boards can be seen on the earlier versions but the Georgian examples have cock beading on the edges of the drawers with a hinged Fall front and were usually made from Mahogany or Oak. Earlier antique bureaux would have used more exotic veneers such as burr walnut with feather banding, string inlay or cross banding as decoration. Later Victorian and Edwardian Bureaus were mainly in Mahogany and highly inlaid with decorative floral designs. Have a look below at our lovely examples available for sale.
Bureaux for sale
Below are a few examples of previously sold antique bureau but if any particular style looks of interest please let us know as we do get many similar designs in stock and we can try to locate something similar.
Small Georgian Mahogany Antique Bureau / Writing Desk, Dating from around 1770 is of rare small proportions. It has a beautifully figured fall front which when opened reveals a very unusual interior with serpentine shaped oak lined drawers. There is a central cupboard door and several pigeon holes. The lower section has four graduating oak lined drawers with beautifully pierced brass handles and key escutcheons.
Quality George III Oak Antique Bureau, the interior having two unusual secret pull out slides with half columnar designed decorative fronts. The piece stands on shaped bracket feet, still retains the original back boards and oozes an overall sense of quality being constructed from the finest oak timbers.
Antique Bureau dated October 5th 1778 with an interior having 20 small oak lined drawers and two pigeon holes.
Antique Georgian Mahogany Bureau with Secret Compartments! This very handsome antique bureau dates from around 1800 in the Georgian period, is constructed from mahogany and has the added benefit of ever so secret compartments! It has a moulded fall front with key and working lock which when opened reveals several small drawers and pigeon holes. There is also a central cupboard, again with a key and working lock, which contains a hidden button that allows access to the secret compartments.
Country Oak Bureau Dating from circa 1760 in the Georgian period with a distinct charm about it. The antique bureau stands on a shaped apron with bracket feet and oozes a sense of charm and character, not surprising since it is over 250 years old!
Antique Georgian Mahogany Bureau with Beautifully Fitted Interior. With eight small oak lined drawers with brass handles, eight beautifully shaped pigeon holes and a central elegantly inlaid cupboard door the finish of the whole interior oozes a sense of luxuriousness, not obvious from the clean simple lines of the exterior of the piece.
Antique Edwardian Satinwood Small & Elegant Bureau, circa 1910. It has an immaculate interior for a piece over 100 years old, has the original brass handles and sits proudly on stylish cabriole legs. With its original back boards and beautiful cross banding in rosewood with boxwood and ebony string inlay, this very fine small antique bureau has been very well cared for over its lifetime and is in pristine condition for its age.
Antique Bureau with Rococo Styling, circa 1770. It is enhanced by the Rococo styled brass-ware, has a wonderfully figured fall front, with Rococo brass key escutcheon and four graduating oak lined, cock beaded drawers with decorative Rococo brass key escutcheons and swan neck handles.
Unusual Georgian Cherrywood Antique Bureau. This cherrywood antique bureau is a lovely warm golden colour with a striking grain, good patina, is in very good condition and has been beautifully cleaned using a traditional form of wax finishing.
Antique Victorian Inlaid Walnut Bureau
Related Reviews
- Jan,
Dear James ,I like to thank you, I just love all the furniture !The delivery was excellent , very friendly and right on time !I can say that i will buy more from you James ?The very kindest RegardsJan
- Writing desk to Aberdeen Scotland,
Hi James,The writing desk arrived on Monday all in good order. It is a lovely piece, and we are thrilled with it! The delivery service was punctual and friendly as well. I appreciate all of your assistance and look forward to conducting business with you in the future.
- Stylish Art Deco Walnut Antique Pedestal Desk by Maple,
Dear James,
The desk arrived safely and is now in our study.We are extremely pleased with the desk, it exceeded our expectations.Many thanks,Vanessa & Tim