EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A REGENCY MAHOGANY, EBONISED AND MARBLE-MOUNTED BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The stiff-leaf carved cornice above a pair of glazed panelled doors enclosing two shelves, flanked by two further glazed doors enclosing two shelves, the doors separated by stop-fluted half columns with foliate finials, the base section with a later grey marble shelf above a pair of doors with later black satin backing enclosing two shelves, flanked by two conforming doors, the doors divided by Hercules herms below paterae, on a solid plinth enclosing two and three shelves respectively, stamped 'BULLOCK, later plinth and locks, restorations
94¼ in. (239.5 cm.) high; 113¾ in. (289 cm.) wide; 22¼ in. (56.5 cm.) deep

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The bookcase shares decorative features with furniture supplied to Sir Richard Colt Hoare, (1758-1838) 2nd Bt., for the new Library at Stourhead, Wiltshire by Thomas Chippendale the Younger, 1804-5. In particular, the carved Hercules 'herm' figures relate to those on the famed 'Philosophers' library table desk supplied for that room at the enormous cost of £115 in 1805. The suite of 'curule' bergere armchairs feature richly-carved Egyptian heads and was supplied in 1805 (J. Kenworthy Browne, 'Notes on the Furniture by Thomas Chippendale the Younger at Stourhead', National Trust Year Book 1975-1976, pp. 97-99, figs. 12 & 17 and D. Dodd et al, Stourhead, National Trust guidebook, rev. ed., 1997, pp. 11-13).

The mask of Hercules with the pelt of the Nemean lion was engraved by Thomas Hope in Household Furniture, plate 37 alongside Silenus, Bacchante and Juno, described as 'comic' and 'tragic' masks, taken from antique ornaments.

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