When I started dealing in 1976 to buy an antique bureau would be an exciting event. Not only would I be enthralled by the construction but also how compact and useful they were. Not only do they have good drawer space under but also the wow factor as the fall was opened revealing the interesting interior and writing/work space.Add to that they were instant sellers, which adds that extra sparkle to ones love on an item if you were a dealer.
Then came the shock to my system as this staple to my stock became very hard to sell due to the emergence of the computer with its tower/ printer etc. All of a sudden bureaus became useless in the modern home if you needed to work with a computer.
This became universal and the price has plummeted, walnut bureaus like the example above fell from £8-10000 down to less than half this figure. Unrestored or ones in poor condition much cheaper.
Now with the advent of the I-pad/laptop the demise of the bureau is slowing as more people realise that this is the way forward for use in the domestic setting. To own one of these wonderful pieces of furniture is a privilege, and will give you lots of pleasure.
All antique desks here