Baker Manor House English George III Mahogany Breakfront China Cabinet Bookcase

Description

A rare and exquisite early Baker Furniture Manor House Collection George III style Breakfront, circa 1940. Made from mahogany with crotch mahogany door panels, a dentil carved molding with open pediment, burled frieze, fretwork covered glass and a Butlers Secretary with tooled leather work surface.

The fretworked glass doors open to seven adjustable shelves over a base with a central butlers desk with a drop front revealing the leather work surface, pigeon holes, central compartment and six smaller drawers with bakelite pulls. Beneath the secretary are four dovetailed drawers of oak construction with brass hardware and inset escutcheons for locking. The Baker Crown & Tulip symbol is burnt into the outside runner of the uppermost drawer. The central bank of drawers are flanked by larger outer cabinets for accessory storage. The drawers and doors all lock via original brass and iron skeleton keys. The cabinet is marked along the back side with the original Manor House label indicating that it was finished in April of 1940.

The "Manor House" collection by Baker Furniture was launched in 1932 and stands as the first major, historically significant furniture reproduction program in the United States. Given its age and rarity, These pieces have become highly coveted furnishings.

The butler's secretary desk, or butler's chest, originated in the 18th and early 19th centuries as a compact, functional workspace for stewards and butlers in grand homes. Designed for estate management, it resembled a standard chest of drawers but featured a top drawer that dropped down to reveal a leather-lined writing surface and small, hidden compartments for organizing household accounts, inventory, and correspondence. These desks were often meant to be used by Butler's in the standing position given the nature of their job.

Condition

Good Vintage Condition; Gentle wear from use and age. White stain along one shelf. Edge wear / Marking

Dimensions

76"w x 14.5"d x 90.5" h, 25" butler surface h