AN CHINESE-EXPORT ROSEWOOD BUREAU BOOKCASE

A similar bureau made for the English market is discussed by Carl Crossman, see page 220, The Decorative Arts of The China Trade, Antique Collectors' Club 2004. Bureau bookcases are among examples made for export in Cantonese workshops, predominately from the 1730's onwards for English, Dutch, Swedish, Danish and later American markets. Designed to be portable, these were constructed with indigenious hardwood timbers, e.g. padouk, rosewood, teak and camphor.