Lot Essay
The kneehole-desk or dressing-table was probably a specific form known as a 'bureau', intended either for writing or for use as a dressing-table. At Cannons, the 1725 inventory lists 'A Dressing Buroe with Drawers', whilst a very grand example described as 'a very fine large Walnuttree Burrow Table and Drawers', was supplied at the enormous cost of £70 for the Princesses' Library at Hampton Court Palace in 1716 (A. Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740, Woodbridge, 2001, pp. 111 & 121).
A. Bowett suggests that the lip-moulded drawers and carcase construction found on this kneehole desk dressing-table indicate a date of c. 1730-1740. It is closely related on one labelled by John Belchier and another labelled by Elizabeth Bell and Sons (ibid., p. 123, plate 3:54 & 3: 56)
A. Bowett suggests that the lip-moulded drawers and carcase construction found on this kneehole desk dressing-table indicate a date of c. 1730-1740. It is closely related on one labelled by John Belchier and another labelled by Elizabeth Bell and Sons (ibid., p. 123, plate 3:54 & 3: 56)