The four screw-holes on the reverse of the top section of the cabinet indicate that the oak panel which is currently on the reverse of the mirrored door, was previously but not originally screwed onto the back of the cabinet. This was during the period that the door had a glass front, for use as a display cabinet.
The bureau-cabinet is unusual in having five drawers beneath the bureau slope. A similar cabinet, with arched mirror plate and five layers of drawers, was sold by R.F. Lambe, Esq, in these Rooms, November 1951, lot 137 and again by Mr. and Mrs. John A. McDougald, Toronto, Canada, Sotheby's New York, 9 October 1999, lot 857.