Lot 155
155
The Property of the late JUDITH, MARCHIONESS OF LINLITHGOW Sold by Order of the Executors
A REGENCY ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY AND EBONISED SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE inlaid overall with an ebonised line, the eared moulded rectangular cornice above a pair of geometric-glazed doors enclosing a pale blue material-lined interior with three shelves, flanked by satinwood-inlaid moulded tapering pilasters headed by Egyptian masks, the crossbanded lower section with a secretaire drawer with lion-mask and ring-handles and fitted with satinwood-fronted drawers and pigeon-holes above a pair of doors enclosing three slides and flanked by conforming pilasters, on paw feet, the locks stamped J. BRAMAH, restorations, the mounts regilded, the lower section door hinges replaced, lacking a small section of cornice and shelf supports, the feet probably associated

Details
A REGENCY ORMOLU-MOUNTED MAHOGANY AND EBONISED SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE inlaid overall with an ebonised line, the eared moulded rectangular cornice above a pair of geometric-glazed doors enclosing a pale blue material-lined interior with three shelves, flanked by satinwood-inlaid moulded tapering pilasters headed by Egyptian masks, the crossbanded lower section with a secretaire drawer with lion-mask and ring-handles and fitted with satinwood-fronted drawers and pigeon-holes above a pair of doors enclosing three slides and flanked by conforming pilasters, on paw feet, the locks stamped J. BRAMAH, restorations, the mounts regilded, the lower section door hinges replaced, lacking a small section of cornice and shelf supports, the feet probably associated
51½in. (131cm.) wide; 95¼in. (242cm.) high; 26½in. (67cm.) deep

Lot Essay

While the design of this secretaire-bookcase relates to that illustrated in Thomas Sheraton's, Drawing Book, 1793, pl.28, its glazing-bar pattern, invented by W. Casement, was published in The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices, 2nd ed. 1793, pl.27 no.6. (E. White, Furniture Designs, London 1990, p.248). The Egyptian headed pilasters with lion-paw feet reflect the 'antique' influence of Thomas Hope, also featured in a Sheraton pattern and illustrated in his Cabinet Dictionary, 1803, pl.50. Its ebony-inlaid French 'hollow' corners were a popular feature of Gillow's furniture around 1812, (see: J. Hardy and N. Goodison, 'Gillows at Tatton Park', Furniture History Journal, vol. VI, 1970, fig. 19B). This, combined with the exceptional quality of its reversed-pattern mahogany veneer suggests an attribution to the firm of of Messrs. George and Richard Gillow of London and Lancaster (fl.1802-12).

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