Fine 18th century German inlaid walnut bureau bookcase, the broken arched cavetto moulded cornice over a pair of later glazed arched doors enclosing a velvet lined interior, the sloping fall with inlaid foliate scrolls and crowned monogram enclosing stepped pigeon holes and later baize surface, above three serpentine inlaid drawers, on later turned pad feet.

Provenance:  The bureau bookcase was a gift from Darmstadt furniture manufacturer Ernst Joseph Trier to his sister, Marie Sichel (who married into the Sichel wine making family, famed for Blue Nun), on condition that it would be returned to him or his descendants on her death.

In 1938 the furniture business was confiscated by the Third Reich and Ernst Trier arrested by the Gestapo. He died later that year. It is believed this piece was brought to Britain along with other possessions when Marie and her family fled Germany to avoid further Nazi repression. She died in London in 1967. The bureau bookcase returned to Ernst’s son after her passing.

Size 48 x 29 x 96 inches tall (123 x 74 x 245 cm tall)

Price £3750

Stock no. 5723