John Wesley’s Bureau Bookcase
1700-1750 / Furniture / Glass / John Wesley / John Wesley's House / Wood / Woodwork
Walnut veneer on oak and pine carcase
c.1715-30
This bureau, with a mirrored bookcase above, was John Wesley's. It was made early in the 18th century, unlike most of the furniture in John Wesley's House. Wesley probably already owned this piece when he moved into this house in 1779. It is possible the bureau was a family piece, a gift, or purchased second hand sometime in the mid 18th century.
The bureau is of excellent quality, veneered in walnut, with an elaborate interior and a number of secret compartments. These compartments proved very useful one night in the 1780s, when Wesley's House was broken into but the thieves did not discover numerous gold coins hidden in one of them!
The elaborately-bevelled mirrors in the upper doors and the three vase finials are Victorian replacements.
c.1715-30
This bureau, with a mirrored bookcase above, was John Wesley's. It was made early in the 18th century, unlike most of the furniture in John Wesley's House. Wesley probably already owned this piece when he moved into this house in 1779. It is possible the bureau was a family piece, a gift, or purchased second hand sometime in the mid 18th century.
The bureau is of excellent quality, veneered in walnut, with an elaborate interior and a number of secret compartments. These compartments proved very useful one night in the 1780s, when Wesley's House was broken into but the thieves did not discover numerous gold coins hidden in one of them!
The elaborately-bevelled mirrors in the upper doors and the three vase finials are Victorian replacements.
