English

circa 1775 - 1785

Grand scale early George III 18th century mahogany period breakfront bookcase.

The crisply carved finial urns that surmount the mahogany veneered cornice are centralised on crossbanded ovals and circles above a thumbnail moulding.

The cornice rests on vertical cut mahogany veneers above four splendid astragal glazed doors. The end sections and the middle section are all individually sectioned off, so the strength is in the bookcase to hold volumes of leather bound books or manuals. The top section retains the original blue paper back linings and the mahogany fronted adjustable shelves.

The top section sits on a low-waisted figured mahogany holding board with a thumbnail moulding to fix the breakfront top in place. The middle holding board is, as mentioned, figured and reasonably deep and rests on four figured mahogany doors below.

The vertical cut mahogany veneers to the four doors are laid on mahogany carcasses and the fronts are highly figured and flamed. The doors are mitred with applied thumbnail mouldings and open to reveal banks of drawers.

The lower section of the bookcase with its cupboard doors retain four short mahogany graduated drawers to the flanks and four long graduated drawers to the centre section. All the drawers retain the original gilt brass handles. The handles are etched oval back plates and gilt brass drop handles.

The bookcase is raised on a mahogany plinth with a retaining thumbnail moulding with vertical cut veneers.

Dimensions

Height 274.00cm (107.87 inches)

Width 274.00cm (107.87 inches)

Depth 50.00cm (19.69 inches)

Stock No: 11576