THE MERE HALL LIBRARY BOOKCASES COMMISSIONED BY THOMAS LANGFORD-BROOKE (D. 1815) AND SUPPLIED BY MESSRS. GILLOWS OF LANCASTER AND LONDON ON 8 MAY 1815, COMPRISING:-
(LOTS 187-193)
These bookcases are designed in the early 19th Century 'antique' manner, with pilasters inset with reeded panels, terminating at either end with acanthus-wrapped 'truss' brackets and capped by flowered 'patera' tablets beneath the richly figured oval medallions, that are framed by a bead-and-reel border and bold 'raffled' acanthus spandrels. The window-pier 'commodes' (lot 58), are designed en suite, but with rectangular reeds, brackets and 'paterae' evolved from bookcases, which Messrs. Gillow provided under the direction of the architect Lewis Wyatt (d. 1853) for the neighbouring property at Tatton Park in 1811. (See N. Goodison, Gillows at Tatton Park, Furniture History, Leeds, 1970, pl. 6-8). A detailed account of the making of Thomas Langford-Brooke's bookcases in May 1815 is provided by Messrs. Gillows' Estimate Sketch Books in the Westminster Public Library.
Their construction in Lancaster of a bookcase with 2ft. 3in. front cost a total of ¨18.2.3., while its 4 Raffle Spandrels, which were sent from Oxford Street, London, accounted for ¨3.4.0.; moreover Richard Townley received ¨4.14.0 for making it. It was noted in the margin that there were to be:- Two of these and one 1ft. 9in. in front materials exactly the same? Another of 4ft., cost #25.130 and was made by Richard Selley, while A Mahogany Commode cost ¨18.5.10 and was supplied by Isaac Robinson (lot 87). The Mahogany library Bookcase 12ft. 8in. long cost ¨79.12.101/2 and was made by Myers, Wilcock and Casson. Another example with jib door and ham volumes cost #111.11.3. They are noted in the 1840 inventory as: two bookshelves, and one large range in three part opposite the windows
A REGENCY MAHOGANY PEDESTAL-CABINET by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the later rectangular top above a moulded cornice and plain frieze, the panelled doors with beaded oval and acanthus angle-sprays enclosing a later fitted interior with two shelves, the panelled sides upon a moulded plinth
细节
A REGENCY MAHOGANY PEDESTAL-CABINET by Gillows of Lancaster and London, the later rectangular top above a moulded cornice and plain frieze, the panelled doors with beaded oval and acanthus angle-sprays enclosing a later fitted interior with two shelves, the panelled sides upon a moulded plinth
24¼in. (61.5cm.) wide; 39in. (99cm.) high; 22¼in. (66.5cm.) deep
24¼in. (61.5cm.) wide; 39in. (99cm.) high; 22¼in. (66.5cm.) deep