Bookcase
1750-1775 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Mahogany library bookcase in two stages with a centre piece and two wings. The lower stage carved with acanthus along the base, with interlaced ogival arcading alongt the top, contains three cupboards with panelled doors. The wings are in the form of narrow pointed arches and the doors are framed between clustered columns terminating in foliated capitals, which are partly cut away at the outer edges to house the hinges. The centre piece, a foot lower than the wings, has a straight top, and a moulded dentil cornice runs along the top, uniting the arches to the centre piece. The glazing bars are of serpentine firm suggestive of decorative tracery.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Mahogany carved |
| Brief description | Mahogany bookcase in gothic style |
| Physical description | Mahogany library bookcase in two stages with a centre piece and two wings. The lower stage carved with acanthus along the base, with interlaced ogival arcading alongt the top, contains three cupboards with panelled doors. The wings are in the form of narrow pointed arches and the doors are framed between clustered columns terminating in foliated capitals, which are partly cut away at the outer edges to house the hinges. The centre piece, a foot lower than the wings, has a straight top, and a moulded dentil cornice runs along the top, uniting the arches to the centre piece. The glazing bars are of serpentine firm suggestive of decorative tracery. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Library bookcase, purchased from Mrs W M Richards, The Croft, Dinas Powis, Cardiff, on 24 November 1951 Notes from R.P. 51/3247 Listed on Purchase Form as "Gothic library bookcase - mahogany, after a design by Chippendale. English; about 1760". 25 October 1951, letter Edwards to Mrs Richards Sir Leigh Ashton has agreed to buy the Gothic Bookcase at £1,000. Reference is made to the involvement of a Mr. E G Williams of Bond Street, but "strict confidence". Has been requested by Mrs Richards. Williams letters on this subject are returned to Richards (copies not on file). 29 October 1951, letter Mrs Richards to Edwards notes "I honestly believe the Gothic cabinet is worth much more than £1,000. It is unique and its history is authentic as you so well know". |
| Bibliographic reference | Illustrated and described in Macquoid, P, The History of English Furniture, Age of Mahogany |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.29:3-1951 |
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| Record created | September 24, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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