Featured Help identifying an unusual drop front bureau

The only thing distinctive seen in the new pics is the 5 board constructed mahogany drawer bottom. This is not usual construction and makes me think this is an import. The Kensington Co. could be the importer and/or retailer.

 

By "import" you mean a piece made in Europe and then sent to the US or Canada?
Or an import from elsewhere? Did they do it those days even with such rather cheap stuff? I could imagine import was a good solution for high quality furniture of distinguished producers… but wouldn't it always be much cheaper to locally produce pieces like the one we talk here about?

 

JMHO.
the drawer looks like Indian copies of colonial stuff that were sold in Asian shops in the 1980s to 90s.

 

I don't recall them to ever have copied also the old manufacturers marks. Furthermore - just look at the inside of the cabinet… it has seen certainly more than just 30 years or so...

 

This goes back to my thought this could be an Anglo-Indian import to the UK. Much furniture was made in India for the British market.

 

I agree, it is well used, no doubt.

I think that's correct although i don't know for sure. Not only are drawer bottoms mahogany, the drawer sides are as well which would not be usual in UK construction in any period that i am aware.
My best guess is an english import of a slant lid desk, late 19th century in a moorish-ottoman style.

 

Naturally, if it isn't 17th-18th century and American, i am mostly just guessing! Just sayin...... most furniture people in here are yanks so the knowledge base is limited in my view.

 

I really have to thank you all guys. Even if we were not able to discover the exact origin of this piece, you definitely narrowed the field. I am quite sure that your idea of Indian import is the most likely one. Will return soon with new antique stuff I hope.

Btw. Initially I intended to ask for information in some corresponding UK forum, but didn't find any... From all the results google spit out, this Forum here appeared to be the most promising one.