An Italian carved walnut bureau cabinet, Venetian mid 18th century

the upper section with an arched top flanked by four urn finials above an arched mirrored door opening to reveal a fitted interior with ten serpentine drawers and recesses and a cupboard door, with concave sides, the lower section with a fall-front enclosing a fitted interior with four short drawers, a cupboard door and a recess above four serpentine long drawers on bracket feet, the stiles carved with flowers, foliage, scrolls, rocaille and scallopshells

Old minor marks, chips and scratches commensurate with age, with some very minor restorations and losses to the carving. Old very minor restorations to the veneer which are hardly noticeable. There are hairline construction cracks and some construction cracks and some vertical construction cracks generally which are above the arched door which can easily be filled. However there is a vertical crack down the right side of the lower section which would benefit from some attention and there is evidence it was previously restored. Very attractive detail to carving. The door inside the fall-front is missing its escutcheon which can easily be replaced. There are some water marks internally. In otherwise very good conserved condition. Superb patina and carving and the door is most unusual. Stunning model.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Giovanni Mariacher, Ca'Rezzonico an illustrated guide, Part I, Venice, 1967, plates 85 & 86.
G. Morazzoni, Il Mobile Veneziano del' 700, Milan, plate CCCLXXV.

The details of the cresting, the elegant proportions, the gentle serpentine design, the intricate carved details and the superb patina of the walnut and the superior quality of craftsmanship make the present bureau cabinet one of the best surviving examples of the Venetian repertory.

The exoticism of the Orient exercised a peculiar fascination for the Venetians, as Venice's extensive trade contacts with the East exposed the former to the decorative art of the Islamic world. The arched central door with its engraved mirror plate echoes the influence of Islamic designs.  

Morazzoni, op. cit., plate CCCLXXV, illustrates a bureau cabinet  conceived in a similar vein, with a single mirrored door, flared sides, carved finials and also carving on the stiles.

The bureau cabinet, deriving its form from the Anglo-Dutch repertory, improperly called in Italy trumeau (from the French mirror which used to stand between two windows), very soon became the most important piece of furniture in the palaces of  the ancient Venetian aristocracy and the rich merchants. Although they were meant to cut a bella figura on the best wall of a salon, these pieces were supposed to be functional too. While the bureaux cabinets commissioned for the suburban villas were often lacquered or decorated in arte povera to simulate lacquer, the finest examples which are found in the most important palaces of the lagoon were veneered in burr walnut which was highlighted with parcel-gilt carved elements. Sometimes these bureaux cabinets have cupboards on each side, making their size quite monumental. There is in the Museum Ca'Rezzonico in Venice, a related bureau cabinet, of similar monumental form with double doors, illustrated by Mariacher, op. cit., plates 85 & 86. 

Unfortunately, due to lack of documentary evidence, very few names of cabinet-makers, carvers and gilders survive, to enable an attribution to a particular maker to be made.Related bureaux cabinets with a single mirrored door offered at auction include:
-a bureau cabinet offered for sale, Sotheby's, Milan, 14th June 2005, lot 317.
-a bureau cabinet sold in these Rooms, 9th June 2004, lot 17. 

A Venetian bureau cabinet similar to the one mentioned above in Ca'Rezzonico, was sold in these Rooms on 13th December 1996, lot 125, which made a world record price of £540,500.