MID-18TH CENTURY

Details

A GEORGE II OAK INVERTED BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE
MID-18TH CENTURY
The moulded cornice above a pair of glazed doors enclosing eight adjustable shelves, flanked by two doors each enclosing four adjustable shelves above a slide enclosing a well, the base section with two panelled doors enclosing one adjustable shelf, flanked by two panelled doors each enclosing an adjustable shelf, on a moulded plinth, two doors with label inscribed in ink '1967-402 A', restorations to the doors and the plinth
93½ in. (237.5 cm.) high; 82½ in. (210 cm.) wide; 19½ in. (50 cm.) deep

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

The pediment of the bookcase has a label printed 'COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG 37'.
Provenance for this lot is:
Acquired in 1967 for Colonial Williamsburg from S.W. Wolsey, London
At Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia until 2003.

Lot Essay

A comparable George II oak bookcase, similarly understated in design, was sold by the Marquess of Cholmondeley, Houghton Hall, Norfolk, Christie's, London, 24 November 2005, lot 29. The latter bookcase was probably supplied to Sir Robert Walpole, later 1st Earl of Orford (1676-1745) or his son, Robert, 2nd Earl of Orford (1700-1751) for Houghton Hall, Norfolk and is most likely the 'wainscot bookcase with plate glass doors', recorded in room 'No. 86 Stewards Office' in the 1792 inventory of Houghton.

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