Other Miller Examples

At the time of writing Adam Bowett records that there are six pieces of furniture, which might reasonably be attributed to Miller, this bookcase being one of them. Aside from the similarities in form, style and metalware, which link them, they also share common quirks of construction and materials. All are made exclusively of walnut veneer on wainscot oak of the highest quality. No deal whatsoever is used in their construction, which is unusual even on the best English pieces of this date. The construction, while ostensibly conventional, is unusually precise, with an ‘engineered’ quality. The small interior drawers of the desks all have their sharp edges radiussed or ‘softened’, an unusual and rather personal touch. Several pieces evince a preoccupation with security and secrecy, not only in their multitude of secret drawers, but in the unusual locks which are of the highest technical standard. The locks to at least three of the desk slopes have false covers, which conceal all fixings, making them virtually impossible to remove. One cabinet has iron brackets in the upper doors, which engage with the carcase sides to prevent the doors being forced. Common to all the desks in the group is a moulding of a curious profile, which flanks each side of the slope.

Measurements

DIMENSIONS CM INCHES
Width: 111 44
Depth: 63 25
Height: 227 89