The richly figured case showing a drop-down panel affixed with a lectern bar, opening to an interior fitted with an arrangement of banks of small drawers, pigeonhole compartments & vertical compartments with fluted fronts, centred by a small cupboard door overtop a writing surface with a recessed stationary compartment beneath a retracting panel. The base showing four tiers of graduated ‘block-fronted’ drawers comprised of three full width drawers & two short drawers, all retaining their original paktong hardware, both sides mounted with robust, original paktong carrying handles & backplates. Raised overall on a bracket shaped base that had previously fronted barrel shaped ‘squat’ wood casters, which have been removed but retained. Heavily constructed with solid Chinese padouk timbers, demonstrating exceptional graining & colour and exhibiting a fine old surface & patina overall. A remarkably fine & rare example of 18th century Chinese Export furniture made for the English or Dutch market. A near identical example of this bureau is described & illustrated in part on page #223 and colour plate #77 as found in ‘The Decorative Arts of The China Trade’ by Carl L. Crossman.