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Lot Essay
This large Irish library bookcase supplied by the Dublin makers Williams and Gibton was part of a commission by James Gibbons (d.1846), for the library of his Regency villa, Ballynegall, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. Designed and built in 1808 by the Irish architect Francis Johnson (d. 1829), Ballynegall was constructed at the enormous cost of £30,000 reputedly using the fabric of an existing castle, known as the old Castle of the Tuites. Much of the furniture for Ballynegall was supplied by Mack, Williams and Gibton of Stafford Street whose label appears on other pieces from the house. These include a massive center table and mirror sold Christie's, New York, 23-24 January 2002, lots 567 and 568. A section of the Ballynegall library was sold anonymously, Sotheby's, London, 14 November 1986, lot 143 (£82,500).
Ballynegall passed on Gibbons' death to his wife's nephew, James Middleton Berry and was later inherited in 1855 by Thomas Smyth of Benison Lodge. The building was sold in 1962 and before all the remaining internal fixtures and fittings were removed, the interiors were photographed and include the library with this bookcase in situ. (R. MacDonnell, The Lost Houses of Ireland, Dublin, 2002, p. 13.) In 1981, Ballynegall was dismantled and the house left a roofless shell. (The Knight of Glin et al., Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland, Atrim, 1988, pp. 141-143.)
The Dublin cabinet-makers Williams and Gibton (active 1830-1844) evolved from the successful partnership of Mack, Williams and Gibton formed in 1811-1812 and flourished under this name until the death of John Mack in 1829. The firm is recognized for the superb timbers employed and their high quality of workmanship which is often compared to Gillows of Lancaster and London. As with this bookcase, much of the furniture they produced was inspired by the designs published by Thomas Hope and George Smith. The original partners John Mack and Robert Gibton are listed in the Dublin directories individually from 1784 and 1790, respectively, and appear to have come into partnership in 1803. They were appointed 'Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers to his Majesty, His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and His Majesty's Board of Works' in 1806 and the firm retained this Royal Warranty for many years, supplying and restoring furniture for important public buildings in Ireland including the Four Courts, the War office, the Barracks Office, Dublin Castle and the Treasury and Vice-regal Lodge.
Ballynegall passed on Gibbons' death to his wife's nephew, James Middleton Berry and was later inherited in 1855 by Thomas Smyth of Benison Lodge. The building was sold in 1962 and before all the remaining internal fixtures and fittings were removed, the interiors were photographed and include the library with this bookcase in situ. (R. MacDonnell, The Lost Houses of Ireland, Dublin, 2002, p. 13.) In 1981, Ballynegall was dismantled and the house left a roofless shell. (The Knight of Glin et al., Vanishing Country Houses of Ireland, Atrim, 1988, pp. 141-143.)
The Dublin cabinet-makers Williams and Gibton (active 1830-1844) evolved from the successful partnership of Mack, Williams and Gibton formed in 1811-1812 and flourished under this name until the death of John Mack in 1829. The firm is recognized for the superb timbers employed and their high quality of workmanship which is often compared to Gillows of Lancaster and London. As with this bookcase, much of the furniture they produced was inspired by the designs published by Thomas Hope and George Smith. The original partners John Mack and Robert Gibton are listed in the Dublin directories individually from 1784 and 1790, respectively, and appear to have come into partnership in 1803. They were appointed 'Upholsterers & Cabinet Makers to his Majesty, His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and His Majesty's Board of Works' in 1806 and the firm retained this Royal Warranty for many years, supplying and restoring furniture for important public buildings in Ireland including the Four Courts, the War office, the Barracks Office, Dublin Castle and the Treasury and Vice-regal Lodge.