Question 1

What is a bureau?

Accepted Answer

A wooden bureau in the United Kingdom and in other parts of Europe refers to a writing desk with drawers. Wood used in an antique or vintage bureau desk is usually oak, mahogany, burr walnut and rosewood. If you visit our Love Antiques shop, you’d find fine examples of antique bureau furniture for sale. A lot of these tables have hinged flaps that when closed, would rest on a sloping angle and cover small drawers, tiered pigeonholes, and to some, a cupboard. The first version was a flat table with drawers under the top, and appeared in 17th century France. The kneehole type became popular under Louis XIV's reign and had a tier of drawers on both sides as well as a single drawer in the centre, right above the space for the knees.

Question 2

Do bureaus need to have a desk for writing?

Accepted Answer

As bureaus refer to certain types of writing desks in the United Kingdom and they act as a compact office, they have to have a desk for writing with a bit of storage. Aside from a writing desk bureau, we also have the antique bureau bookcase, first seen in the early Georgian period and is meant for both writing and study, as it can hold all items you would need for work, such as books, papers and pens. Made of different types of wood like mahogany and walnut, it has bookshelves on top of the desk or cupboard and would have doors with mirror, panel blinds or clear glass panes. Walnut was commonly used for this furniture in the 18th century but in the later Georgian period, mahogany was favoured.

Question 3

How much is an antique bureau worth?

Accepted Answer

An antique bureau desk in the United Kingdom could be sold for a price between £150 and £22,000, depending on the design, material, date or period it was created. Check out our types of bureau for sale on the Love Antiques site and should you find one you like, simply click on the item. The item’s page would provide more details like the width, height, colour, whether it was made from oak, walnut, or mahogany and whether it was created in the 18th century, much earlier or much later, as well as details on its style. If you have questions or need more information, our site also links you to the antiques dealer.

Question 4

How do I get my vintage antique bureau desk valued?

Accepted Answer

To find out the current price of your antique or vintage bureau desk in the United Kingdom, a number of things to do to find out if your item is not just an ordinary old writing bureau include determining who the manufacturer was through a telltale mark on the item, the age, how rare or desirable your item, and the condition your item is in. While you can do an online research and visit one site and another to compare the different bureau desks for sale, it's still essential to search and contact appraisers. If you have local antiques dealers nearby, approaching them would be a good start. Whether it be the early 18th century, the Victorian or Georgian era, these experts can provide valuable information that can help you sell your item, including a more accurate time period your item was created.

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