A GEORGE III MAHOGANY, EBONY AND FRUITWOOD SECRETAIRE-BOOKCASE

PROPERTY OF AN INSTITUTION

Details

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY, EBONY AND FRUITWOOD SECRETAIRE-BOOKCASE
Crossbanded overall in tulipwood and chequerbanded, the moulded rectangular top, above a frieze of gothic arches hung with pendants above a pair of quarter-glazed doors enclosing three adjustable shelves, the lower section with a fitted secretaire-drawer, enclosing ten fruitwood-fronted mahogany- lined small drawers, pigeon holes and a central drawer, two drawers each with a third secret drawer, one inscribed in pencil 'Frame 13½ x 13½', above a central kneehole with a mahogany-lined drawer and a pair of panelled drawers enclosing fitments for adjustable divides, flanked to the left by three graduated short drawers and on the right by a cellarette drawer simulated as two drawers and enclosing a hinged well and a hinged door enclosing a fitted interior of pigeon holes and six variously-sized mahogany-lined drawers with sliding tops, on square tapering legs with splayed feet, the top of the lower section with an inscription '1794', the kneehole drawer with embossed metal label '1146', lacking slides for central cupboard, restorations
43in. (109cm. ) wide; 86in. (214.5cm.) high; 23½in. (59.5cm.) deep

Lot Essay

Patterns for desks and bookcases featuring the arcaced cornice, hermed feet and medallion handles were published in Messrs. A. Hepplewhite & Co.'s, The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, London, 1788, pls. 40 and 69. A related secretaire-cabinet from Townley Hall, Co. Louth is illustrated in C.Gilbert, Furniture at Temple Newsam House and Lotherton Hall, London, 1978, p. 444.

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