Antique Queen Anne Walnut Secretaire Chest / Escritoire, Circa 1710 18th C
London, United Kingdom
£9,750 per item
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Item details
Height
176.0 cm
Width
102.0 cm
Depth
59.0 cm
Wear conditions
Excellent
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
A beautiful Queen Anne Walnut secretaire chest/escritoire, circa 1710 in date.
The upper section features a moulded cornice above a secret bulge front frieze drawer, this is above a hinged fall front clad in burr walnut-figured book veneers framed in broad cross-banded borders edged with feather-banding.
The interior housing three pairs of pigeon holes concealing secret compartments above a central cupboard flanked by three side drawers on each side with six further drawers below, all clad in burr figured veneers edged with feather banding and fitted with brass pendant handles. The rear of the central cupboard is a concealed panel that sildes away to reveal four further secret drawers.
The base of the chest comprises two half-width drawers above two full width drawers, all fitted with pendant shaped brass drop handles, The cabinet is raised on bracket feet.
The walnut secretaire is outlined throughout with decorative herringbone stringing.
Complete with working locks and original keys.
Anne was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland from 8 March 1702 until 1 May 1707. On 1 May 1707, under the Acts of Union, the kingdoms of England and Scotland united as a single sovereign state known as Great Britain. Anne continued to reign as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland until her death in 1714.
The Queen Anne style of decorative arts began to evolve during the rule of King William III of England, reached its primacy during the reign of Queen Anne, and persisted after George I ascended the throne. The period has also been called “the age of walnut” because that wood was used almost exclusively in English furniture of the time, replacing oak.
The single most distinctive feature of Queen Anne furniture is the use of the cabriole leg, which is shaped in the form of a double curve—the upper part being convex and the lower part concave—and ends either in a claw-and-ball or paw foot. The Queen Anne chair is identifiable as well for the splat back, which is curved in order to fit the hollow of the spine.
The custom of social tea drinking that developed in the Queen Anne period produced a need for small movable chairs and tables, as well as for china cabinets. Bookcases and secretaries were also designed in the Queen Anne style. Marquetry, inlay, veneering, and lacquer work were all skilfully applied to the decorative furniture of Queen Anne design. Typical motifs in this ornamentation are scallop shells, scrolls, Oriental figures, animals, and plants. The Queen Anne style of furniture design became extremely popular among the upper classes in Britain's North American colonies.
Condition report:
In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Additional dimensions information:
Dimensions in cm: Height 176 x Width 102 x Depth 59 Dimensions in inches: Height 5 foot, 9 inches x Width 3 foot, 4 inches x Depth 1 foot, 11 inches
Cancellations
We offer free cancellations and full refund for orders cancelled before dispatching. View full policy.
Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Free UK Mainland delivery.
Estimated delivery time
Less than one week
Free collection available
Yes
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- Selling at Vinterior since 2016
- 304 sales
- Ships from London, United Kingdom
Seller Reviews
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 24th March 2025
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