Fine 17th Century Mulberry Bureau, Manner of Coxed & Woster

This is a rare and exceptional William & Mary Mulberry and Walnut Bureau possibly by Coxed and Woster, it has superb glowing colour and patina throughout. The handles are period examples from the George I era and we believe they were changed along with the bracket feet in the early part of the 18th Century in keeping with the fashion of the day. Veneered on Oak groundwork in matching Burr Ash veneers which have been treated in order to create a mottled effect known as Mulberry. This process was widely used in the late 17th and early 18th century by London cabinet makers Coxed & Woster. This piece is fitted with reading rest to the fall and sliding well to the interior, having feather banding to the borders and early single bead decoration to the drawer divisions. The Interior has five secret drawers, one behind each of the left and right drawers and three behind a hidden compartment to the front of the sliding well when opened. The ends and cross grain mouldings are made in Walnut, this is consistent with other documented pieces from this period thought to be made by Coxed and Woster. Much has been written about the firm Coxed & Woster who made Mulberry Furniture from around 1690 to 1720. There were obviously other makers of Mulberry although very little has survived in anything like good condition. In the past pieces have been described as Mulberry when in fact they are just burr veneers of one wood or another. This piece is a true Mulberry in every sense of the word. There is an excellent article in Peg and ''''Tails by Jack Plane who in my opinion understands Mulberry far better than a number of others who have written on the subject.