A GEORGE I GREEN AND GOLD JAPANNED BUREAU CABINET circa 1720

decorated overall with raised decoration in various tones of gold on a dark green japanned ground, the upper part with a double-domed molded and stepped cornice, the center and corners with rectangular blocks supporting carved gilt-wood urns, above two arched doors enclosing the original shaped and beveled mirror plates opening to an interior fitted with valenced pigeon holes above a mirrored door flanked by pilasters concealing document drawers and small drawers, over an arrangement of eight small drawers, above two candle slides above a molded waist, the lower part with a sloping fall front decorated with an oriental landscape with pavilions, gardens, terraces and figures, opening to an interior with a writing slide concealing a well, and fitted with a central small cupboard with a mirrored door flanked by pilasters enclosing document drawers and with valenced pigeon holes and shaped stepped shelves and four small shaped drawers, above two short and two long graduated drawers variously decorated with oriental landscapes with gardens, pavilions, terraces and figures above a shaped apron and supported on the original tall bun feet.

The Collection of the Fogg Art Museum and the Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard University

Sold, Sotheby's New York, October 16, 1987, lot 81

The upper section with some minor stress cracks to side panels, mirror plates with some minor crystallization to the lower edges, slight bowing and inpainted age cracks to inside panel of left cupboard door, small loss to molding of cornice of right side panel, finials re-gilt, the lower section with chip to top right molded edge of slant front, the interior with later leather-lined writing surface, back left leg with repaired break at join with carcass and with a later block and subsequent hole to underside, overall with numerous chips and minor losses to the painted surface with areas of wear, some wear and touching in to the gilding overall and some areas of inpainting.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.