Henry Newdick’s “Private Desk” – Late George II highly figured mahogany bureau

Henry Newdick’s “Private Desk” – A superb late George II highly figured mahogany bureau uniquely fitted with three banks of detachable exterior drawers and special security features
English. Circa 1755.
Measurements
Width: 45 1/2" (115.5 cm); Depth: 24 1/2" (62.2 cm); Height: 42 1/4" (108 cm): Depth open: 39 1/4" (99.6 cm).
Research
Of superbly figured mahogany. The fall front with brass engraved heraldic escutcheon with concealed spring loaded keyhole mechanism. The well fitted interior with pigeon holes and stepped and shaped drawers, all with fine boxwood and ebony bands of geometric inlay. Each drawer centered by a plain drop ring brass handle. Below the fall is a baize lined slide which also functions to support the writing flap when drawn forward. The front with twelve drawers each set with a finely cast gilt lacquer rococo drop handle. Each vertical bank of four drawers is entirely detachable. The whole raised on a plain plinth. The side with large rococo lifting handles. The bureau is made in two, horizontally divided, halves.


Marks:
Bears partial paper label to the back:
Pickfords LD.
Name: Louis (?)
Number: 52 (?)
In Chalk: Albrighton

Provenance:
Henry Newdick (1713–1771), Mount House, Enfield Chase
Joseph Baden Newdick (1743-1824)
Almost certainly the sale of the Household Furniture and Valuable Effects of Joseph Baden Newdick by Mr. Fletcher, East Ham, June 16-17, 1813
A collection in Albrighton, Shropshire, UK


The ownership of this bureau is fully attributed to Henry Newdick (1713–1771), London Colourman and Master of the Wax Chandlers Company (1766). The piece bears an heraldic lockplate that includes the Newdick coat of arms, identical to the seal of Henry Newdick affixed to his original will, held in the National Archives. Crucially, the second of the impaled arms is also present (presumably those of his wife Christian Baden). The will also makes specific mention of his “private desk” kept in the parlor of his London house and left to his son and heir, Joseph Baden Newdick. His bequest was as follows:

By this my will I also give and bequeath unto my said son Joseph Baden Newdick, his executors administrators and assigns all the household goods furniture implements of household and other things which shall be in about or belonging to my dwelling house in Cornhill at the time of my decease except the Plate and Linnen my private Desk in the parlour and Mrs Newdick’s Cabinet in her Bed Chamber which Plate Linnen Desk and Cabinet belong to my aforesaid House called Mount House and hereby by me meant and intended to pass and go along therewith for the benefit of my son Joseph Baden Newdick to whom I have given the said house’ and premises after my said wife’s decease.

The present beautifully figured and gilt-brass mounted mahogany bureau is of striking twelve-drawer configuration and appears to be unique in that each vertical bank of four drawers is completely detachable and freestanding, while the slant front bureau section above is also removable. Furthermore, all the beautifully engineered locks and keeps are designed with the utmost security in mind. The bureau’s ability to be dismantled presumably allowed the valuable and/or confidential contents to be removed and stored independently, taken along on travels or brought to a safer location.

Full research report available on request.