A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SECRETAIRE-BOOKCASE

BY J. HOLLAND OF PLYMOUTH

Details

A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SECRETAIRE-BOOKCASE
By J. Holland of Plymouth
The later moulded rectangular cornice above a pair of central diamond-glazed and yellow silk-backed doors, enclosing three adjustable shelves and flanked by a conforming door to each side, enclosing a silk-lined interior and four shelves, above a pair of ebony-lined panelled doors, enclosing a secretaire-drawer with leather-lined and fitted interior, flanked by four further drawers above a shelf, with two conforming side doors, one enclosing a shelf and a small cupboard, the other with seven drawers, on a later plinth base, restorations, two backboards off, one glass pane and the right corner moulding missing, one interior drawer inscribed in pencil, 'J. Holland Cabinetmaker, Plymouth, July 23 1823', the back inscribed '22790 lot 115'
106 in. (269 cm.) high; 120 in. (305 cm.) wide; 23½ in. (60 cm.) deep

Provenance

Anonymous sale, Sotheby's London, 16 February 1989, lot 115.

Lot Essay

John Holland of Plymouth (d. 1838) is recorded in The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, p. 441-442. It is very likely that this is the Holland of Plymouth, who is mentioned in the Exeter Flying Post, 21 February 1828, which states 'A cocoa nut in a perfect state was discovered on February 14 1828, in a log of mahogany belonging to Mr. Holland, Cabinet Maker, Plymouth, by the sawers who were cutting it...'

More from Fine English Furniture

View All