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Lot Essay
This black rosewood cabinet bookcase, inlaid in the French 'antique' manner expounded by the French Buhl Manufacturer Louis le Gaigneur (fl.1814-21), with 'chiffonier' gallery for books and decorative objects, relates to a 1792 pattern for a 'Lady's secretary' published in Thomas Sheraton's Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book, 1791-4, pl.23. Pairs of these cabinets were intended to be placed on either side of the fireplace in early 19th Century interiors.
Supplied by cabinet-makers such as John McLean and Sons of 58, Pancras Street, Tottenham Court Road, this type of cabinet bookcase was illustrated in Rudolph Ackermann's influential periodical, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics, which was published between 1809-28, pl.131. He wrote:- 'This elegant piece of furniture forms a useful appendage to the boudoir or drawing-room. It is calculated to contain all the books that may be desired for the sitting-room, without a reference to the library..... This cabinet should be formed of a deep-toned wood, varied and rich in its grain: rose-wood is preferred. The ornaments are metal gilt. The top is formed in shelves, and lined with looking-glass, to display vases, or any fancy article that may be required, or that will add to the splendour of the apartment'.
Supplied by cabinet-makers such as John McLean and Sons of 58, Pancras Street, Tottenham Court Road, this type of cabinet bookcase was illustrated in Rudolph Ackermann's influential periodical, The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Politics, which was published between 1809-28, pl.131. He wrote:- 'This elegant piece of furniture forms a useful appendage to the boudoir or drawing-room. It is calculated to contain all the books that may be desired for the sitting-room, without a reference to the library..... This cabinet should be formed of a deep-toned wood, varied and rich in its grain: rose-wood is preferred. The ornaments are metal gilt. The top is formed in shelves, and lined with looking-glass, to display vases, or any fancy article that may be required, or that will add to the splendour of the apartment'.