拍品专文
The antique-fluted frieze of the temple-pedimented bookcase displays large patterae, that recall the Doric entablature of Andrea Palladio's Vincenza Basilica, as illustrated in William Chambers' Treatise on Civil Architecture, 1759, pl. 6. The latter accompany a sacred-urn and, like the dentilled cornice, are pearl-enriched in the Etruscan manner. Its plinth-centred pediment accompanying mosaiced glazing in hexagon compartments corresponds to a 'Library Bookcase' pattern illustrated in Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, London, 1754 (pl. LXVII). The 'commode' doors, of its flanking recessed cabinets, display tablets of fine feathered veneer within hollow-cornered and reeded mouldings; these tablets are cut from the same plank, but one is inverted.
The bookcase would have been commissioned by John Wood (d. 1778) while aggrandising the ancient family mansion at Hollin Hall, Yorkshire, which he inherited in 1757. At this period, his neighbour at Newby, the adjoining estate, was employing John Carr (d. 1807), so it is possible that the celebrated York architect was also involved in the creation of the new bedroom apartments at Hollin Hall. The bookcase, which is fitted with two nests of drawers, is likely to have formed part of Mrs. Wood's apartment. It is designed en suite with a chimneypiece and its embellishment with vase and libation-plates would have indicated its use as a china-cabinet bookcase. Indeed it is possible that it was also intended in part for the family's armorial service, which was supplied from Canton in the late 1750s and displays 'Woodmen' in the centre of octagonal plates (part of the service was still displayed in the cabinet, when it was photographed in situ by Country Life in 1988).
In view of the bookcase's design, it is of interest to note that a 'Richard Wood' featured among the subscribers to Chippendale's Director, and this may have been Richard Wood (d. 1797) who succeeded his brother as owner of Hollin Hall (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, p. 301). In addition a 'Richard Wood of York', variously identified as a carpenter, joiner or cabinet-maker, ordered eight copies of the Director. It would seem likely that this bookcase was executed by a York craftsman, familiar with the Director, or one who had worked with Chippendale, such as John Walker and Christopher Theakstone, who were employed by him at Harewood House (op cit. C. Gilbert, pp. 254-255, figs. 465-467.)
The bookcase would have been commissioned by John Wood (d. 1778) while aggrandising the ancient family mansion at Hollin Hall, Yorkshire, which he inherited in 1757. At this period, his neighbour at Newby, the adjoining estate, was employing John Carr (d. 1807), so it is possible that the celebrated York architect was also involved in the creation of the new bedroom apartments at Hollin Hall. The bookcase, which is fitted with two nests of drawers, is likely to have formed part of Mrs. Wood's apartment. It is designed en suite with a chimneypiece and its embellishment with vase and libation-plates would have indicated its use as a china-cabinet bookcase. Indeed it is possible that it was also intended in part for the family's armorial service, which was supplied from Canton in the late 1750s and displays 'Woodmen' in the centre of octagonal plates (part of the service was still displayed in the cabinet, when it was photographed in situ by Country Life in 1988).
In view of the bookcase's design, it is of interest to note that a 'Richard Wood' featured among the subscribers to Chippendale's Director, and this may have been Richard Wood (d. 1797) who succeeded his brother as owner of Hollin Hall (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, London, 1978, p. 301). In addition a 'Richard Wood of York', variously identified as a carpenter, joiner or cabinet-maker, ordered eight copies of the Director. It would seem likely that this bookcase was executed by a York craftsman, familiar with the Director, or one who had worked with Chippendale, such as John Walker and Christopher Theakstone, who were employed by him at Harewood House (op cit. C. Gilbert, pp. 254-255, figs. 465-467.)