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About us

silla was born out of a passion for beautiful objects: special pieces with aesthetic and historical significance. In 2009, after years of collecting, Andrew Silla and his wife Grace began to work privately with clients from their residence in Southern Maryland. Quickly outgrowing the space, the business was moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2012 and after several warehouse location changes it was firmly settled in the present brick-and-mortar location in downtown Shippensburg.

The 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery is home to a large collection of works of art and estate jewelry. We specialize in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 with a particular emphasis on the Animaliers and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.

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Georgian Mahogany Library Bibliotheque Bookcase | England, circa 1840

silla

SKU:
006SMP30A

This item is sold. Please email sales@sillafineantiques.com to be notified when similar items become available. Our gallery is very active in hunting down unique pieces and we will almost certainly be able to find something special for your collection.

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catalog text

GEORGIAN MAHOGANY BLIND-DOOR LIBRARY BOOKCASE
England, circa mid-19th century
Item # 006SMP30A 

A rich and vibrant library bookcase from the second quarter of the 19th-century, it is difficult for pictures to capture just how attractive the mahogany is throughout the case. It retains an early cognac finish under shellac that simply glows, the edges having darkened from accumulated dirt in the layers of wax. The cabinet is built in three parts to make transport a bit more manageable: the crown, the mid-section and the base section. Note that the mid-section is crafted as a single box, not in three parts as some cabinets of the period.

The simplicity and austerity of the surface is most compelling, the only ornamentation being the egg-and-dart carved molding in the crest. Each door is a single solid plank of figured mahogany, the backs chamfered so that they can shift inside the groove of the door frame. This has allowed each to survive in beautiful condition without breaking from shrinkage. The boards chosen for each door are truly superior with vibrant chaotic grain flaming through each.

These open to reveal adjustable shelving, the mid-section with two shelves per division and the lower cabinet with a single shelf per division.

Remaining entirely pure with untouched originality, this exquisite library bookcase is a most fine acquisition.


Measurements: 75" W x 23" D x 93" H; base is 36 1/2" H, mid-section is 52 1/2" H and crown is 5 1/2" H

Condition Report:
Early finish with gorgeous worn patina. Discolorations and color variation throughout, overall the effect is very nice. Minor chips, dings and abrasions as well as old scarring. Minor gap between base molding and cabinet on right side. Most shelf pins have been replaced with dowels. Tiny piece of replaced bottom edge molding in the crown.