Lot Essay
The Tuscan bookcase, with open temple-pediment for the display of a bust, is designed in the George II 'Roman' fashion promoted by Isaac Ware's, Designs of Inigo Jones and Others, 1731; and by B. Langley's, The City and Country Builder's and Workman's Treasury of Designs, 1740. Its tiered 'commode' base, recessed wings, echinus mouldings and fretted ribbon enrichments, with 'Greek key' and 'Vitruvian wave-scrolls' can be found in Langley's 1739 engravings, such as his chest-of-drawers, medal case and 'decorations for cabinet-works' etc. (see pls. 153,154,8, 98 and 78). Amongst the leading London cabinet-makers, who promoted Langley's architectonic fashion was Giles Grendey of Clerkenwell, whose label is recorded on a related cabinet belonging to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (C. Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture, Leeds, 1996, fig. 432). Related cabinets, with hinged bureau 'fall' fitted beneath mirrored doors, have been recorded at Langley Park, Norfolk and Ragley Hall, Worcestershire (O. Brackett, Thomas Chippendale, 1925, pl. XI)