IN THE MANNER OF MAYHEW AND INCE

Details

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY AND MARQUETRY BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE
In the manner of Mayhew and Ince
The scrolled broken pediment with foliate terminals centred by a fluted pedestal and flanked by husk-trailed acanthus, the dentilled panelled frieze inlaid with simulated flutes, above a pair of gothic-glazed doors with ogival arches and engraved acanthus sprays to the angles surmounted by rosette patera, flanked by two similar doors each enclosing a cream silk-lined interior with later adjustable shelves, the moulded base with two further central doors with raised cut-cornered panel, enclosing three slides, flanked to each side by two similar drawers each enclosing four drawers with lacquered-brass drop handles, on a moulded plinth, one door locked and lacking one press, five glazed panels broken, with depository label to the reverse
100in. (254cm.) wide; 107in. (272cm.) high; 23in. (58.5cm.) deep

Lot Essay

Messrs. A. Hepplewhite & Co. published bookcase patterns, including this tripartite-arched glazing, in their Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, 1788 (pl. 40). They recommended that entablatures should be embellished with a bust or vase amongst acanthus foliage, such as appeared in their 'Secretary and Bookcase' pattern, which also featured this bookcase's hollowed-cornered panels. Its acanthus-enriched and volute-scrolled pediment, the dentilled and fluted cornice, as well as the serpentined horizontal glazing-bars all featured on another bookcase pattern published in 1788 and contributed by Thomas Shearer to The Cabinet-Maker's London Book of Prices (pl. I).

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