A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE

CIRCA 1770

Details

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE
Circa 1770
Of breakfront form, the pierced fretwork cornice with pierced obelisk finials above a pierced arched frieze and two pairs of Gothic-arched glazed doors enclosing a silk-lined interior with shelves, the outset lower section with serpentine center, centered by a mahogany-lined secretaire drawer enclosing a gilt-tooled green leather writing slide flanked by wells and compartments, above three additional graduated drawers, flanked by cut-corner panelled doors enclosing movable shelves, on a plinth base, inscribed in an 18th century hand in black ink I.K. No. 5, with a printed paper depository label for Pickfords Ltd.
114in. (289.5cm.) high, 90½in. (230cm.) wide, 25in. (63.5cm.) deep

Lot Essay

The Gothic styling of of the cornice in this bookcase relates to a design by Thomas Chippendale for a 'Library Bookcase' in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director, third edition, pl. XCVIII. The design illustrates similar Gothic crockets and pierced fret-carved cornice to the present example.

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