Rare Late 17th Century Burr Elm & Walnut Bureau

Outstanding and extremely rare late 17th Century antique burr elm and walnut bureau of lovely small proportions with fine boxwood stringing. The wonderful shaped and stepped interior with black and white stringing to the drawers. Fitted with a central door having a beautiful Arabesque marquetry panel and checkered feather banded border. The sliding well with further black and white stringing matching that of the drawer fronts. The feet have been replaced many years ago as have the handles which are early 18th century examples but not original. In good original condition otherwise and of very good glowing colour and patina. The ironwork hinges to the fall are original. Fitted with working locks and keys to the fall and interior door. Its interesting to note the extraordinary one piece panel of Burr Elm to the centre of the fall front, the freeze and long drawers are two piece matches as one would expect. A collectors piece of English Furniture, probably made as a special commission for an important customer at the time. Arabesque marquetry was fashionable in the late 17th Century and used on some of the best pieces by important makers including Gerrit Jenson, cabinet maker to the King. See Adam Bowett''s wonderful book, Gerrit Jenson, Royal Cabinet Maker 1635-1715.