A QUEEN ANNE BURR WALNUT BUREAU-ON-STAND

FIRST QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

Details

Cross and feather-banded overall the rectangular top above a sloping fall-flap enclosing a fitted interior of two small drawers, one long drawer and six pigeon-holes, with a red velvet-lined writing-surface, above a long drawer and two columns of short drawers and a waved apron centred by a later boss, the sides with brass carrying handles, on ring turned tapering baluster legs joined by platform stretchers on bun feet, some restorations, the feet and front stretcher later
35 in. (89 cm.) high; 25 in. (63 cm.) wide; 14 1/2. in. (37 cm.) deep
Provenance

The late Mr & Mrs Melvyn Rollason; Christie's, London, 3 July 1997, lot 159.
Literature

G.W. Whiteman (ed.), 'Ludstone Hall, Claverley, Shropshire', The Antique Collector, London, December 1965-January 1966, p. 238 (shown in situ in the Drawing-Room) and p. 241.
Lot Essay

This charming bureau-on-stand is a particularly fine example of London cabinet-making in the early 18th century. With elegant and delicately balanced proportions matched with carefully chosen burr veneers, the deliberate simplicity of this bureau's form creates an impression of great beauty.
A related Queen Anne figured-walnut bureau-on-stand was sold anonymously at Christie's London, 24 February 1994, lot 184.
THE ROLLASON COLLECTION
Mr and Mrs Melvyn Rollason were passionate collectors of English oak and walnut furniture and early English clocks.
In 1939, they moved to Ludstone Hall in South-East Shropshire, a moated Jacobean manor house for which their collection was especially well suited. Arthur Oswald described the glories of Ludstone in three Country Life articles during January 1952, in the third of which he wrote 'Mr Rollason's collection of furniture has been acquired with the ruling idea of buying what would look best in the house'.