A GEORGE II MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE

CIRCA 1760, AND EMBELLISHED IN THE 19TH CENTURY WHEN THE CARVING WAS ADDED

Details

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE
Circa 1760, and embellished in the 19th century when the carving was added
The cornice with interlaced floral-carved chains above a central pair of astragal-glazed doors each enclosing two later adjustable shelves, flanked by conforming side doors, the surrounds carved throughout with trellis-patterned fretwork, the base with further fret-carved frieze and four doors applied with floral and gothic arcaded moldings centered by an urn, each enclosing a further shelf on a plinth, bearing remains of a depository label inscribed in blue crayon Welkmitt(?) 110, and with an indistinguishable white chalk inscription to the reverse
97in. (247cm.) high, 122in. (310cm.) wide, 21in. (53cm.) deep

Literature

S. Masten, 'Dealer's Choice: A Showcase for Museum Pieces in North Carolina', Southern Accents, December 1984, p.68 (shown in situ in the Entrance Hall).

Lot Essay

A clothes-press from the collection of Judge Irwin Untermyer features similarly patterned doors and is illustrated in A. Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, New York, 1968, pl.163. Related designs for panelled fronts appear in Thomas Chippendale's Director of 1763 (pl.XL and LXXX), Mayhew and Ince's Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762 (p.XXI) and Society of Upholsterers Genteel Household Furniture in the Present Taste, 1765 (pl.44, part II). A wardrobe with architectural and scroll panels was executed (originally as an organ case) after a John Vardy design in 1763 for the 5th Duke of Bolton for Hackwood Park and was sold from there, Christie's house sale, 20-22 April 1998, lot 143.

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