A red and gilt lacquered chinoiserie bureau cabinet, possibly Southern Italian or Iberian, circa 1730

the upper section with a domed top, with seven baluster turned finials opening to reveal two later shelves, the back decorated with a seascape, each side and the inside of the doors with coats-of-arms within scrolling foliage and flowers, the lower section with a fall-front enclosing a fitted interior with four shaped drawers with scrolled mouldings flanking a cupboard door enclosing a recess and slides, the far right drawer simulating two drawers enclosing a secret drawer above two short and one long drawer on a platform base, the whole decorated with chinoiserie scenes, birds and foliage in black and gilt on a red ground - 264cm. high, 118cm wide, 67deep; 8ft. 7½in., 3ft.10½in., 2ft. 2¼in. Estimate 10,000—15,000 GBP

Sotheby's. Important Continental Furniture, Ceramics and Clocks. 02 Dec 08. London - www.sotheby's.com