18th Century Bookcase

18th Century Bookcase.

A late George III 18th century two door mahogany and purpleheart inlaid bookcase attributed to Gillows of London and Lancaster.

The moulded cornice sits above a vertical flamed mahogany veneer crossbanded with boxwood stringing and purpleheart. The same crossbanding is above the vertical veneers. 

The astragal glazed doors open to reveal the original three solid oak and mahogany tipped shelves. These can be adjusted easily with the individual slats that have been fitted to the bookcase, all original to the time of manufacture. The astragal glazed design is seen in the Gillows sketches that we have illustrated with the stock item. The panes of glass are nearly all original, with the mahogany framed doors supporting broad purpleheart and boxwood strung glazing bars. They are deliberately wider to show off the purpleheart. 

The bookcase sits on a figured inlaid mahogany shelf above two cupboard doors. The flamed mahogany inset panelled doors open to reveal a bank of oak-lined and mahogany front drawers. The drawers are fitted with the original gilt brass swan neck handles. 

The bookcase is unusually veneered in figured mahogany to the sides and is raised on ogee feet, flanked and decorated with a shaped apron and crossbanded purpleheart veneers. 

The bookcase is low waisted and elegantly scaled in proportion.  A very fine 18th Sheraton period century bookcase.

Reference:
The Gillow sketches relate to the current bookcase and the attribution of Gillow.
Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Edited and introduced by Lindsay Boynton.

Dimensions

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Condition report

Stock number