Queen Anne bookcase-desk. England, ca. 1710

Queen Anne bureau bookcase. England, ca. 1710.
In burr walnut and walnut root, veneer on oak.
Feet/base renewed, restored, cracks at the sides, old restorations, wear and tear due to age and use.
Measurements: 216 x 103 x 60/90 cm.
With the desirable feature of the ‘double dome’ with a further dome to the return, two deep fielded shaped panels. The cupboard doors to the top open to reveal a fitted interior with pigeon-holes, folio slides and bookshelves, above the sloping fall slides for candles. The central section with numerous drawers and a removable drawer compartment, below the fall are two short and two long drawers, later base with bracket style feet. The cabinet doors at the top open to reveal an interior equipped with pigeonholes, holders and shelves. Above the top are slanted candle holders. The center section has numerous drawers and a pull-out compartment, below the drop are two short and two long drawers, back base with corbel style feet.
The double dome top is a most desirable feature and always set them apart from the usual straight cornice design. The cabinetmaker would have to take so much more time with its construction, he would also need to have the specialist skills to be able complete the complicated task.
Walnut is a hard, dense, tight- grained wood that polishes to a very smooth finish. It is a popular and attractive wood whose colour ranges from near white in the sapwood to a dark hew in the heartwood.
Burr walnut refers to the swirling figure present in nearly all walnut when cut and polished, and especially in the wood taken from the base of the tree where it joins the roots. However the true burr is a rare growth on the tree where hundreds of tiny branches have started to grow.
Walnut "burrs" were often used to make fabulous furniture. Veneer sliced from walnut burl is one of the most valuable and highly prized by cabinet makers.