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GEORGE III STYLE LIBRARY BOOKCASE CABINET IN THE GOTHIC TASTE
England, circa 1880
Item # 911LPO16M
A gorgeous London revival from the last quarter of the 19th century, this fine library bookcase cabinet is designed in the Gothic taste of the George III period a century prior. With extensive applied fretwork and angular pierced fretwork in the crest against a dark grained mahogany form, the bookcase is stylistically heavy while being proportionally quite attractively sized. Only 16 1/2" deep and relatively narrow for a breakfront, this was designed for a smaller room where a full sized breakfront would be overwhelming. The result makes it a quite accessible form for the modern home.
Typical of most breakfronts, the case separates into three pieces for easy transport: the crest lifts off of the middle bookcase, this a solid self-contained unit that can be lifted off of a self-contained lower base.
Crafted with an expert eye for symmetry and longevity, the backboards are all paneled so that they can shrink and expand without affecting the structure, these set in grooves in the framing. All drawers show tight and crisp hand dovetails with applied cockbead moldings, each with original cast bronze pulls with Rocaille decorations flanking a matched keyhole escutcheon. All shelves in the bookcase are adjustable.
Measurements: 94" H (total) x 57 1/2" W x 16 1/2" D; crest 13" H, bookcase section 50 1/2" H, base 31" H
Condition Report:
Minor separation at base in front of the lower right door; lower right door with some scratches around keyhole; no working keys; gap around keyhole escutcheon of middle bookcase door; patch to horizontal surface in front of left bookcase door; surface of drawers and doors with an odd stain pattern, perhaps faded or later refreshed and a bit blotchy - these would benefit from being refinished. One replaced shelf "knob" (for adjusting the height of shelves).