Redwell Wood Farm / Potters Bar / Hertfordshire, EN6 3NA, UK | USD $, Yen, Euro and all major currencies accepted. Change Site Language | Help
Canonbury Antiques Canonbury Antiques
 
UK UK: + 44 (01707) 644717
USA USA: + 1 (877) 650-7261
USA: + 1 (877) 650-7261UK: + 44 (01707) 644717
  • Categories
  • Styles and Period
  • Room
  • Items on SALE!
  • Sell Your Items
  • Your Cart (0)
  • Contact Us
  • Visit Showroom
  • About
 
Subscribe to our newsletterand get 10% OFF!
search

Shop by Type
  • Dining Tables
  • Dining Sets
  • Art Deco
  • Tables
  • Dining Chairs
  • Seating and Chairs
  • Objet d Art
  • Bookcases
  • Bronzes
  • Desks
  • Buddha Statues
  • Lamps and Lighting
  • Steamer Trunk Luggage Cases
  • French Boulle Furniture
  • Architectural Salvage
  • Curios
  • Silver Plate
  • Oil Paintings
  • Cabinets and Chests
  • Chairs
  • Architectural
  • Fountains and Garden
  • Mirrors
  • Chinese Porcelain
  • Porcelain
  • Dressers and Sideboards
  • Tea Caddies
  • Glassware
  • Mirrored Furniture
  • Clocks

Shop by Style
  • Adams Antiques and Furniture
  • Art Deco
  • Art Nouveau
  • Arts and Craft
  • Biedermeier
  • Black Lacquer
  • Boulle Furniture
  • Burmese Furniture
  • Chinese Antiques
  • Chinoiserie
  • Chippendale
  • Colonial / Campaign
  • Continental Antiques
  • Dutch Marquetry Antiques
  • Edwardian Antiques
  • English Antiques
  • Epstein Furniture
  • Farmhouse Furniture
  • Francois Linke
  • French Antiques
  • French Empire
  • George II
  • Georgian Antiques
  • Gillows and Co Antiques
  • Gothic Antiques
  • Grand Tour Antiques
  • Hepplewhite
  • Irish Antiques
  • Italian Antiques
  • Jacobean Antiques
  • Japanese Antiques
  • Lacquer and Ebonized Furniture
  • Louis XVI
  • Maple and Co Antiques
  • Marquetry Inlay
  • Napoleon III
  • Neo-Classical
  • Queen Anne
  • Regency Antiques
  • Rococo
  • Sheraton
  • Sheraton Revival
  • Swedish Antiques
  • Syrian Moorish and Islamic Furniture
  • The Garden
  • Vernis Martin Lacquer
  • Victorian Antiques
  • William and Mary Antiques
  • William IV Antiques

Shop by Room
  • Castle Chic
  • Aviator Furniture
  • Farmhouse Kitchen
  • Gentlemans Club
  • Medieval Banquet
  • Parisian Apartment
  • Regency Dining Room
  • Roman Villa
  • The Dining Room
  • The Garden
  • The Hallway
  • The Kitchen
  • The Library
  • The Living Room
  • The Lounge
  • The Study
  • Urban Loft
  • Victorian Dining Room
  • William IV Dining Room
WITH VIDEOS
Global Shipping
Global Shipping
Secured Site
Amex
Master Card
Visa
Discover

Returns Policy 7

The Bureau Bookcase Defined by Canonbury Antiques

GO BACK
all

Relevant categories: Bookcases,Desks

Date
Jul
01
2020

George II Bureau Bookcase - 18th Century Mahogany

(Above photo  - George II Bureau Bookcase - 18th Century Mahogany )
 

The bureau bookcase first appeared early on in the Georgian period. The original design released in 1730 featured a large central compartment with winged sides. But it was not until Thomas Chippendale published The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker’s Directory in 1754 that people got to know the true form of the bureau bookcase. Chippendale’s design featured lots of chinoiserie and rococo decorations with a glazed upper surface.


Whatever Chippendale and later designers did was to make improvements on a form of bureau bookcase that had been around since the 17th century. At that time, most of the noble’s homes had one form of a bookcase or another. The earliest form was a cabinet with glass running from the pediment to the plinth. Later on, designers would modify the cabinet to make the bureau bookcase (or the secretaire). The very first bureau bookcases had blind-paneled or mirror door fronts. Later on, the mirrors and blind panels were replaced with clear glass.

 

Georgian Bureau Bookcase in Mahogany Desk

(Above photo - Georgian Bureau Bookcase in Mahogany Desk )


The Regency period saw the bureau bookcases morph into smaller cabinet bookcases, usually three feet high. With that minimalist design, it was now possible for people to hang artwork and photographs on the walls. The smaller cabinets were aptly referred to as “dwarf bookcases” and often had open fronts. Only a few of these bookcases had doors made from brass grills and pleated silk. If it didn’t have at least one door, then it was called an open bookcase.
In the 18th century, the first revolving bookcase came to the fore. It was small in stature and could easily stand next to a chair. The revolving bookcase was meant to hold books for individuals who couldn’t finish a day without immersing themselves in the written word. Surprisingly, contemporary furniture makers still produce these bookcases for various purposes.

 

Georgian Bureau Bookcase - Mahogany Antique Cabinet Circa 1800

(Above photo - Georgian Bureau Bookcase - Mahogany Antique Cabinet Circa 1800 )


The main purpose of the bureau bookcase was to facilitate writing or study. Users could access all the books, papers, and stationary they needed for their work. In the interior, the bookcase had leather inserts with the appropriate tools, letter racks, pen holders, pigeon holes, and a drawer for holding stationary.


Bureau bookcases were made from different types of wood – walnut or mahogany. Walnut was common during the 18th century with a characteristic feather branding. In the later Georgian period, designers and furniture makers mainly favored mahogany with a glazed top. One needed to open the glazed door to see whatever was displayed inside – decorative items or books.

 

Georgian Bureau Bookcase Mahogany Antique

(Above photo - Georgian Bureau Bookcase Mahogany Antique )


The Edwardian period saw the increased production of mahogany bookcases in all types of designs. The growing middle class meant the finest furniture was in high demand in most households across the country. However, furniture makers borrowed a lot from the previous designs by Chippendale and Sheraton. The bureau cases often had high-quality brass fittings and elegant inlays.


The carpenters cleverly designed the bookcases so that they could be split into two sections. So, it was easier for people to transport and fit them into their homes. If you want a bureau bookcase for your home, don’t hesitate to talk to us. We are here to serve you.

 

 

 

 


 

Products Mentioned

Georgian Bureau Bookcase Mahog...

Georgian Bureau Bookcase - Mah...

George II Bureau Bookcase - 18...

Georgian Bureau Bookcase in Ma...

 

More from our Knowledge Base

4 Ways to Design a Corner Cabinet JUN.17.2022

One of the best ways to maximize space in your kitchen or any other room is by installing a corner cabinet. Unfortunately, the corner presents problems by creating a natural obstruction, making it difficult to reach into a cabinet if it's deeper than 24 inches.

MORE
all

Everything You Should Know About Balloon Back Chairs JUN.17.2022

Are you looking for an easy way to furnish a dining room? Balloon back chairs are high utility furniture pieces that also create a rare aesthetic appeal. They have round, solid mahogany backs and padded seats that allow you and your guests to sit comfortably.

MORE
all

Everything You Should Know About Antique Club Chairs JUN.17.2022

Everyone expects to relax at home after a long work day or during the weekend. Therefore, you need a set of comfortable chairs. A good example are the antique club chairs, which serve more purposes than just making a room elegant.

MORE
all

 

TOP OF THE PAGE
Top of the Page
  • SHOPPING
  • Shopping Cart
    Shopping Cart (0)
  • Buying Online
  • Get a Gift Voucher
  • Sold Items
  • CANONBURY INFO
  • Knowledge Base
  • About Us
  • Customer Testimonials
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Sell your Antiques
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • FAQs
  • Shopping
  • US Customer Service
  • Return Policy
  • SITE LANGUAGES
  • Our site can be translated into most languages using the Google Translate tool below:

  • SHIPPING
  • Shipping to United States
  • Shipping to Europe
  • Shipping to Rest of World
    FOLLOW US ON
  • You Tube
  • Facebook
  • Wordpress
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Flickr
  • SHIPPING
  • Shipping to United States
  • Shipping to Europe
  • Shipping to Rest of World
    FOLLOW US ON
  • You Tube
  • Facebook
  • Wordpress
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Flickr
+ 44 01707 644877
+ 44 01707 644717
  • CONTACT US

  • Confirm that you are human:
    5 + 5 =


  • SHOPPING
    Shopping
  • Shopping Cart
    Shopping Cart (0)
  • How to Buy
  • Get a Gift Voucher
  • Sold Items
  • CANONBURY INFO
    Shopping
  • Knowledge Base
  • About Us
  • Customer Testimonials
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Sell your Antiques
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    Shopping
  • FAQs
  • Shopping
  • US Customer Service
  • Return Policy
  • SHIPPING
    Shopping
  • Shipping to United States
  • Shipping to Europe
  • Shipping to Rest of World
  • CONTACT US
    Shopping

  • Confirm that you are human:
    5 + 5 =


© - Canonbury Antiques - Redwell Wood Farm / Potters Bar / Herfordshine, EN6 3NA, UK

Website Developed by Nulence

© - Canonbury Antiques

Redwell Wood Farm / Potters Bar / Herfordshine, EN6 3NA, UK

Website Developed by Nulence