1 of 4

George III Chippendale period mahogany breakfront bookcase

$65,247.60List Price

About the Item

A superb and rare George III Chippendale period mahogany breakfront kneehole bookcase, retaining excellent original colour and patina. The upper section with the double sized central section, flanked each side by another bookcase section with octagonal astragal glazed doors. Inside there is an arrangement of adjustable shelves to each section. Below the break fronted central section, a secretaire drawer opening to reveal an arrangement of pigeon holes and drawers and bordered by vertical blind fret columns, further blind fretwork to the inside section and with a fretwork ears to the top. To the outside of the lower section a pair of panelled doors one enclosing a drawer and adjustable divisions for folios, the other with five drawers standing on a plinth base. The bookcase has a moulded cornice with central broken pediment which is supported with intricate fretwork and also has a delicately carved fretwork centre piece. It is not uncommon durin g the latter half of the 18th century for library bookcases to incorporate a hidden surface for writing or examining books or maps. This was usually found within a drawer which when drawn out revealed a flat baize or leather inset slide above small compartments or as in the present case a false drawer front which hinged to reveal small compartments and a writing surface. It is rare however to have a bookcase with an aperture to the centre as in the present example. Possibly it was conceived to contain a table which could be moved out or it could simply have been designed purely as a kneehole. Gentleman`s libraries of this period were often furnished with book cabinets, desks, tables and chairs, commissioned as a group from a single cabinet maker in consultation with the architect responsible for the whole scheme. For example, Thomas Chippendale was obviously aware of the William Chamber`s sketch for a chimney piece for the library at Pembroke House, Whitehall, London, the details of which clearly influenced his design of a library table made for the same room. It is interesting to compare this bookcase with that eventually supplied by Chippendale as the principal bookcase also incorporates a kneehole recess like the present example, illus. Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, p.148, pl. 66, p.42. The blind fret carving on the present bookcase also appears in many of Chippendale`s designs and the overall form relates to one of his designs for a library bookcase, see Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet- Maker`s Director, 3rd Edition, 1763, pl. XCI. Provenance: With H.W. Kiel of Broadway, Worcestershire. Signed/Inscribed/Dated: English, George III, circa 1760

Similar to:
Thomas Chippendale (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 95 in (241.3 cm)Width: 91.5 in (232.41 cm)Depth: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)
Style:
Chippendale (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
18th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
c. 1760
Condition:
Excellent. Minor restorations, waxing. The brassware apparently original. Fretwork ears to kneehole restored.
Seller Location:
Knutsford, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 21651stDibs: LU9759881305

Antique 18th Century British George III Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

George III Chippendale Period Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

$151,099

H 96 in W 72 in D 20 in

Antique Chippendale period mahogany breakfront bookcase

Located in London, GB

A fine quality impressive mid-18th Century Chippendale period flame figured mahogany Breakfront Bookcase, having bold carved & dentilled swan-neck pediment enclosing blind fretwork w...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Chippendale period mahogany breakfront bookcase

$90,659

H 116 in W 108 in D 20.5 in

Large Mahogany Chippendale Period Breakfront Bookcase

Located in Brighton, Sussex

An important and very impressive 18th century Chippendale period mahogany break fronted bookcase, having dental moulding to the cornice, astragal glazed doors above three large frieze...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Large Mahogany Chippendale Period Breakfront Bookcase

$65,934 Sale Price

36% Off

H 111 in W 155 in D 22 in

Chippendale Breakfront Bookcase

By Thomas Chippendale

Located in Greenwich, CT

Very fine George III mahogany breakfront bookcase in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, the architectural pediment having egg and dart with dentil molding over similarly treated friez...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Breakfront Bookcase

$29,000

H 77 in W 85 in D 22.25 in

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

Located in Chelmsford, Essex

For sale is a good quality George III mahogany breakfront bookcase, having a broken arch pediment with a gilt finial to the centre, above four astregal glazed doors, opening to adjus...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

$6,181

H 92.92 in W 92.52 in D 23.23 in

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

Located in Essex, MA

Broken arched triangular stepped cornice above a pair of doors with arched mullions flanked by another shorter conforming pair, the base with a pair of panelled doors flanked by a narrower pair, plinth base. Provenance: Hyde Park Antiques...

Category

Antique 1760s British George III Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

$15,000

H 99.5 in W 87.75 in D 19.5 in

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

Located in Essex, MA

Nicely proportioned with broken arch carved pediment terminating with flower heads over a fluted frieze over a pair of doors flanked by a pair of doors all with honeycomb mullions en...

Category

Antique 1770s English George III Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase

$28,000

H 95 in W 104 in D 16 in

Antique English George III Chippendale Period Pine Country House Double Bookcase

By Thomas Chippendale

Located in Glasgow, GB

A mid 18th century Chippendale period pine country house double bookcase cabinet featuring a fluted and ornate fret-carved cornice with large carved acorn topped urn finials above a ...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Antique English George III Chippendale Period Pine Country House Double Bookcase

$18,722

H 90.5 in W 73.25 in D 21.25 in

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase

Located in Huntington, NY

This exceptional George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase with Glazed Doors, has wonderful flame & crotch grain Mahogany. Comprised of a large central cabinet, flanked by 2 sma...

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Brass

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase

$25,875 Sale Price

25% Off

H 93 in W 71 in D 21 in

Chippendale Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet Mahogany 1900

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Impressive mahogany Chippendale style 4 door breakfront bookcase. Circa 1900 This quality 4 door bookcase stands upon a squat cabriole legs with bold...

Category