A George II figured walnut and parcel-gilt bureau-cabinet circa 1730

the moulded swan's neck cresting issuing gilded flowers and flanking a gilt cartouche above a pair of bevelled mirrored doors between Corinthian capped fluted canted angles, enclosing an elaborately fitted interior of walnut-lined drawers, document slides and niches around a cupboard door, with candleslides below, the interior of the bureau conformingly fitted over two short and two long drawers, the lower long drawer inlaid with a star-burst in a recess, raised on shaped bracket feet

With Mallett and illustrated Country Life, November 17, 1966 

Displaying wonderful colour and patina this bureau - slightly faded on the outside and vivid on the inside, as to be expected - is in very good condition. The mirror plates are probably original, as well as the bracket feet and the brassware. The feet have had later under block reinforcements; There are small losses and marks and scratches consistent with age and use and some scuffing to feet, small repaired cracks to doors and the interior fitting vertical dividers are probably replacements. The gilt areas have been re-gilt.
"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."

Conceived in richly figured burr walnut veneers with feather banding, the simple lines of this cabinet disguise the exceptional quality of its cabinet-making.  Normally of oak in furniture of this date and calibre, the drawers of the upper sections in the present lot are unusually lined in walnut and indicate the high quality of construction. The interior of the upper section has an unusual shaded decoration to give an impression of a more exotic wood than the oak in fact used. The carved detail is also of exceptional draftsmanship and execution. The canted pilasters on moulded plinths and the carved detail on the top and side edges of the bureau is highly sophisticated.  The inlaid star-burst to the bottom drawer is a feature normally seen in chests on chest of the period but rarely seen on bureau cabinets. The brasses which are original, are of the finest quality. These details suggest that the cabinet was made by a maker of considerable distinction. One such maker was Peter Miller, d.1729 who is known to have produced bureau cabinets with details and quality of construction commensurate with those seen in the present cabinet.

As with many 18^th century cabinet makers, sadly not much is known about them. In the case of Peter Miller, he is recorded `in the Savoy’, St Mary-le-Savoy, London, 1723-24 where he had a leasehold interest and which was an area free from many of the regulations of the City of London and the Livery Companies.   He took out a Sun Insurance policy on 17 April 1723 for £500 on goods and merchandise in his house only.  A bureau cabinet attributed to Miller and of exceptional quality, and which is inscribed behind the small central mirror ‘Peter Miller Cabenet/ Macker in the Savoy in/ London the 23 June Ao 1724’ made for export to Spain, is illustrated in Christopher Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, 1700-1840, 1996, pl. 647 and 646, p. 337.  Gilbert raises the possibility that Miller might be an Anglicised version of the German Muller suggesting that he might be of an immigrant family.

For further comparison see the following examples attributed to Peter Miller;  a bureau cabinet sold Christie`s London, Important English Furniture, 13<sup>th</sup> November 1997, lot 160 (sold for £188, 500), a kneehole desk sold Christie`s New York, Important English Furniture, lot 192, (sold for $189,000) and a bureau cabinet offered for sale by Christie`s London, Important English Furniture, 14^th June 2001 lot 150. The Bristol City Art Gallery and Museum also own a cabinet attributed to Miller in their collection.

A related  George I walnut bureau cabinet which shares many of the constructional details including the interior to the upper section, with the present lot, was sold Sotheby`s New York, Magnificent English Furniture from the Collection of Theodore & Ruth Baum, 22^nd October 2004, $114,000.