ANTIQUE AND SATINWOOD CROSSBANDED SIDE TABLE, ANTIQUE SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE, OVAL MAHOGANY DROP-LEAF TABLE

A NEST OF THREE WALNUT
OCCASIONAL TABLES, 18th Century, oval
and on turned legs, faults. wide,
together with a blue Japanned wine table,
18th Century, the circular top decorated with a bird and flowers. diameter, and a brass tray top table, Near Eastern, on a folding wood stand.

AN ANTIQUE BUREAU, George III,
the fall enclosing a fitted interior, above four
long graduated drawers, on bracket feet,
restored.

AN EBONISED AND GILT METAL MOUNTED SIDE CABINET, Victorian, the central panelled door with an oval Sevres style porcelain plaque, flanked by a pair of curved glazed doors

enclosing shelves, on toupie feet, faults.

AN EBONISED AND AMBOYNA SIDE CABINET, Victorian, with gilt metal mounts, the central panelled door inlaid with a cartouche and flanked by a pair of curved glazed doors enclosing

shelves, on toupie feet.

AN ANTIQUE AND SATINWOOD CROSSBANDED SIDE TABLE, George III style, with four drawers and on tapered square legs with castors.

A SET OF MAHOGANY
METAMORPHIC LIBRARY STEPS, George
III style, with a leather inset top and on
turned legs.

AN INLAID ROSEWOOD
ENVELOPE CARD TABLE, late Victorian,
the hinged four piece top above a small
drawer, on turned tapering legs joined by a
stretcher.

AN INLAID AND EBONISED SIDE CABINET, Victorian, with gilt metal mounts, the central glazed door now lacking glass enclosing shelves and flanked by glazed side panels, on bracket

feet, wide.

AN ANTIQUE DRINKS CABINET, modern, with a pair of oval panelled doors above a drawer and a further pair of doors, on splaved bracket feet.

A LARGE MAHOGANY LIBRARY BOOKCASE, George ni style, with a fluted and dentil cornice above four astragal glazed doors, the lower part with four circular panelled doors, on a

plinth base, high by wide.

A LARGE WALNUT BREAKFRONT LIBRARY BOOKCASE, Victorian, stamped COLLINSON & LOCKE, LONDON,, the moulded cornice above four astragal glazed doors, the lower part with strapwork

and foliate carved panels, on bun feet.

AN ANTIQUE SECRETAIRE
BOOKCASE, Victorian, the moulded cornice
above a pair of glazed doors, the lower pan
with a drawer now lacking fittings above a
pair of cupboard doors, on a plinth base.

A SET OF SIX CARVED OAK DINING
CHAIRS, Victorian, including one armchair,
each with a lion cresting above a padded back
and seat, on spiral twist and square legs.

A GROUP OF SEVEN PIECES OF
BLACK JAPANNED FURNITURE. th
Century, each piece with Ounoeserie
decoration, composing an oval table.

AN ANTIQUE EXTENDING
DINING TABLE, Victorian, the rounded
rectangular top raised on fluted tapering legs
with ceramic castors, with one extra leaf,
high by wide. by long
extended.

AN OAK BOOKCASE CABINET, Victorian, the moulded cornice above a pair of glazed doors, the lower part with two panelled doors, on a plinth base, high by wide.

A BLACK JAPANNED THREE PIECE SUITE, 18th Century, comprising a settee and two armchairs, each with chinoiserie decoration and with single caning, on lobed bun feet.

AN ANTIQUE CHEST, George IV, the two short and three long drawers with ivory escutcheons, on bracket feet.

AN OAK CHEST, George III, with two short and three long drawers, on bracket feet, wide.

A BEECHWOOD CANTERBURY, George III style, modern, with a drawer, on turned legs and castors, wide.

A MINIATURE MAHOGANY AND INLAID CHEST, Edwardian, with two short and three long drawers, on bracket feet.

AN OVAL MAHOGANY DROP-LEAF TABLE, George II with restorations, on turned tapering legs with pad feet, wide. extended.

A WALNUT DINING ROOM SUITE,
William and Mary style, early 18th Century,
each piece raised on scrolled supports joined
by stretchers, comprising: an extending
Dining Table. long extended
including a spare leaf; a set of eight Dining
Chairs, including a pair of armchairs, with
caned backs; a Serving Table, with a
serpentine top and a pair of drawers.
wide; and a breakfront Sideboard, with
drawers and cupboard doors.

ANTIQUE EXTENDING
DINING TABLE, Victorian, with a moulded
top. on turned and fluted legs with castors,
long extended including two leaf insetions.

A CARVED OAK LINEN PRESS, 2th
Century, made up, with a pair of doors
enclosing sliding trays above drawers, on
bracket feet, wide.

ANTIQUE AND PINE CHEST OF DRAWERS, OAK REFECTORY TABLE, JAPANNED HANGING CORNER CUPBOARD, GOLD PAINTED GESSO FRAMED WALL MIRROR

AN OAK REFECTORY TABLE, 18th Century style, with solid shaped end supports long

AN ANTIQUE TUB SHAPED ARMCHAIR, William IV, the padded rail with sunburst spandrels, on leaf carved tapered legs ending in brass cappings and castors

AN ANTIQUE AND PINE CHEST OF DRAWERS, George III, with four long graduated drawers, on bracket feet, faults, wide.

AN INLAID WALNUT
MUSIC CABINET, Victorian, with two tiers
and a glazed door, wide.

AN ANTIQUE AND PARCEL-GILT WALL MIRROR, George III, the
rectangular later plate within a fret frame
surmounted by an eagle cresting.

A PAIR OF BLACK JAPANNED ARMCHAIRS, 18th Century, decorated with chinoiserie, caned backs and seats, on cabriole legs, together with a black japanned tub armchair, 18th Century,

with a caned back, on cabriole legs.

AN ANTIQUE DROPLEAF TABLE, George III, with alterations, on tapered square legs.

A WALNUT BREAKFRONT
LIBRARY BOOKCASE, 18th Century, with
astragal doors and panelled cupboard doors,
on cabriole feet.

AN OAK ROLL TOP PEDESTAL DESK, Edwardian, with an arrangement of slides and drawers, on plinth bases.

A WALNUT AND CROSSBANDED KNEEHOLE DESK, Queen Anne style, with an arrangement of six drawers, on cabriole legs.

AN ANTIQUE POLE SCREEN, part 18th Century, with a floral tapestry panel.

A GILTWOOD WALL MIRROR, Regency, with spiral twist pilasters flanking a later plate, repainted.

A MAHOAGNY BOWL STAND, George II style, with a drawer and tripod supports, high

A PAIR OF EBONISED AND PARCEL GILT CORNER WHATNOTS, Victorian,with bowfront tiers and turned supports, each high

A CARVED GILTWOOD CONSOLE TABLE, late 18th Century, with a replaced top and a single tapering support headed by
a mask, regilded.

A WALNUT AND INLAID SIDE CABINET, Victorian, with a marble top above three doors including a mirror panel, wide.

TWO INLAID MAHOGANY TUB ARMCHAIRS, Edwardian, with pierced backs and tapered supports

AN ANTIQUE DUMB WAITER, George III style, with three tiers and tripod supports, diam.

A JAPANNED HANGING CORNER CUPBOARD, continental, 18th Century, of bow-front form with a pair of doors enclosing shelves, wide.

A ROSEWOOD POLESCREEN, William IV, with a needlework panel, on a turned stem and triform base.

AN ANTIQUE DRESSING TABLE
MIRROR, George III, with an oval plate and
bow-front three drawer base, wide.

A CAST IRON AND BRASS
OCCASIONAL TABLE, Victorian, with a
thuvawood top and adustable rope-twist stem,
on an ornately cast base, diam.

A SET OF FOUR SIMULATED
BAMBOO ARMCHAIRS, George III style,
the painted frames with trellis backs and cane
seats.

AN ANTIQUE BREAKFRONT
BOOKCASE, in eight sections with glazed
doors above panelled cupboard doors, on a
plinth base.

AN OAK ROLL-TOP DESK,
Edwardian, the ogee fall above pedestal bases
containing slides and drawers.

AN OAK ROLL-TOP DESK,
Edwardian, the shallow fall above pedestal
bases containing slides and drawers.

A GILT-GESSO AND ETCHED GLASS
WALL MIRROR, Victorian, the pierced lyre
cresting above a rectangular moulded frame.

A GOLD PAINTED GESSO FRAMED WALL MIRROR, with an oval bevelled plate within a leaf-moulded frame.

A North Italian walnut Commode, Italian provincial walnut and crossbanded Commode, German walnut Cabinet, Louis XV provincial carved oak Armoire

A North Italian walnut Commode, circa, with bell-flower carved terminals and mouldings, the three long drawers above an apron with profile portrait medallion, on tapered square

fluted legs, worm.

A Directoire mahogany Cylinder Bureau, circa, with fluted terminals, the frieze drawer above a fitted interior and slide, below are three long drawers of breakfront form, on

tapered square legs.

A pair of North Italian walnut
Chairs, circa, the oval splats with
wheat-ear motifs, the stuffed brocade seats
above tapered and fluted square legs,
worm.

A North Italian oak and parquetry
Commode, circa, in the th
Century style, with two long drawers and
tapered square legs. high by.

A pair of Piedmontese small
walnut and crossbanded Commodes,
circa, the fronts of concave form,
with two long drawers, on cabriole legs,
worm.

An Empire-style mahogany
Washstand, circa, with gilt-metal
mounts, of stepped form, with oval
bevelled mirrors, on gilt claw feet.
high by.

An Italian provincial walnut and
crossbanded Commode, circa, with
two short and two long drawers, on square
cabriole legs.

A pair of Louis XV-style carved beechwood Fauteuils, the backs, padded arms and seats covered in striped brocade, on cabriole legs
An Italian olivewood octagonal Occasional Table, circa, with segmented veneers to the top and star motif, the frieze with real and dummy drawers, the lotus-clad pillar above a

triform base, on turned feet.

A 18th Century-style carved and
gilt rectangular Wall Mirror, circa,
the plate with a foliate and fruit border.

A French walnut Stool, circa,
the square serpentined stuffed seat
covered in gold dralon, the carved cabriole
legs joined by an ‘X’-shaped stretcher,

An Italian gilt Wall Mirror, circa
, the rectangular plate with profile
portrait medallion to the surmount and
swags, with conforming apron. high
by.

An Italian Lacca Povera Bureau,
circa, painted throughout with floral
sprays on a green ground bordered by ‘C-
scroll cartouches, the fall revealing a well
and stationery compartments, the frieze
with a pair of lopers above three long
graduated drawers. high by.

A German walnut Cabinet
the arched moulded cornice inlaid
with scrollwork and flowers above a pair of
doors with a simple strapwork design
above a similarly inlaid frieze, with plain
supports and flat stretcher.

A Louis XV-style tulipwood and
rosewood crossbanded Table a Ecrire,
circa, with gilt-metal mounts and
stringing, the leather inset kidney-shaped
top with a rear gallery containing four
drawers, the serpentine frieze drawer
flanked by cabriole legs.

A Louis XV-style mahogany and
gilt-metal mounted Card Table, circa
in the form of an oval occasional
table, the top with a hinged border frame
revealing a swivelling panel with a folding
baize-lined playing surface bearing an
inlaid emblem Balny BTt FGDS, Paris,
France & Etranger, the panelled frieze
above cabriole legs.

A Louis XVI-style mahogany and
gilt-metal mounted Etagere, circa,
the galleried marble inset top above triple
waisted supports joined by a galleried tier,
the fluted and stop-fluted turned legs with
a triform stretcher, on spiral fluted feet.

A Directoire mahogany Coiffeuse,
circa, the hinged top revealing three
rising panels revealing wells and a mirror,
the frieze with three dummy and two real
drawers, on tapered square legs with block
feet.

A Louis XV provincial carved oak
Armoire, circa, the egg and dart
moulded arched cornice above a roundel
flanked by foliate swags, the pair of
cartouche panelled doors enclosing
hanging space, the fluted corners on
cabriole feet.

A tall giltwood Torchere, French,
circa, the stop-fluted column carved
with husks and acanthus, on a triform base
carved with cherubs’ heads and the
monogram MAbove a star, on paw feet.

A Dutch marquetry and oak
Display Cabinet, circa, with canted
sides, the domed cornice above a pair of
astragal doors enclosing a lined interior
with serpentine shelves, the base enclosed
by a pair of panelled doors, on shaped
bracket feet. high by.

A French boulle and ebonised Side
Cabinet, circa, with gilt-metal
mounts, the panel door flanked by a pair
of bowed glazed doors, the velvet-lined
interior with shelves, on a plinth base.

OAK PEDESTAL DESK, MAHOGANY LINEN PRESS, CARVED OAK DINING CHAIRS, OAK CYLINDER BUREAU, WALNUT SIDE CABINET

A STAINED OAK PEDESTAL DESK, Victorian, carved with foliage and caryatid figures, 160cm. wide.

A RECTANGULAR GILTWOOD OVERMANTEL MIRROR, William IV, with molded uprights and applied at the corners with flower heads. 130cm. wide.

AN OCTAGONAL OAK AND MARQUETRY CENTRE TABLE, German, 17th Century style, the top caned with foliage and raised on spiral twist supports. 100cm. wide.

A STAINED OAK CIRCULAR OCCASIONAL TABLE, German, 17th Century style, with a foliate carved border and raised on spiral twist legs, 69cm. diameter.

A SET OF FOUR CARVED OAK DINING CHAIRS, Victorian, including two armchairs, with armorial backs and spiral-twist supports.

A MAHOGANY LINEN PRESS, George III,, the dentil cornice above paneled doors and two short and one long drawer. on bracket feet, reduced, 178cm. high by 125cm. wide.

A TEAK CAMPAIGN BENCH, early 19th Century, with a caned back and seat, above four drawers and stile feet, caning distressed, parts lacking, 194cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY SIDE TABLE, George IV, with two frieze drawers and on receded tapered legs, later gallery, 121cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY CIRCULAR TRIPOD
TABLE, early 19th Century,, with alterations,
with a tapering column and down swept legs,
59cm. diameter.

A MAHOGANY RECTANGULAR
OCCASIONAL TABLE, William IV, the
cross banded top raised on a cylindrical
column, the reform base with gilt bronze
lion’s paw feet. 69cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY CABINET
BOOKCASE, George III style, with an
astragal door above a cupboard door, on
bracket feet. 188cm. high by 55cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY SIDEBOARD, 20th Century, with a raised shell carved back and on cabriole legs. 183cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY BOW-FRONT CHEST OF DRAWERS, George III, with two short and three long graduated drawers, on slaved bracket feet. 107cm. wide.
A MAHOGANY WING-BACK ARMCHAIR, Edwardian, on splayed legs, 90cm. wide.

AN OAK CYLINDER BUREAU, Victorian, with a fitted interior and raised on a pair of pedestals containing three graduated drawers. 122cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SIDEBOARD, George III. with three drawers and a cupboard, on tapered square legs with spade feet, restored. 153cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT
PEDESTAL SIDEBOARD, George IV, the
raised scrolling back above four drawers and
a pair of tapering pedestal cupboards, on
plinth bases, 248cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY PEDESTAL DESK,
early 20th Century, with three frieze
drawers, the pedestals with three graduated
drawers and plinth bases, 122cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY PEDESTAL
DRESSING TABLE, Victorian, with three
frieze drawers, the pedestals with three
graduated drawers and plinth bases, 122cm.
wide.

H A WALNUT SIDE CABINET,
Victorian, with gilt metal mounts, the cavetto
cornice above a single arched glazed door, on
a plinth base, 79cm. wide.

OAK OPEN BOOKCASE, WALNUT SIDE CABINET, MAHOGANY ENVELOPE CARD TABLE, PARCEL-GILT FRETWORK WALL MIRROR, WALNUT DINING CHAIRS

A STAINED OAK OPEN BOOKCASE,
circa 1900, with a lunette frieze and foliate
pilasters, on a plinth base, 228cm. wide.

A WALNUT SIDE CABINET,
Victorian, with a white marble top above
three doors, now with brass grille panels, 136cm.
wide.

A MAHOGANY PEDESTAL
SIDEBOARD, George IV, the breakfront
frieze with a drawer flanked by an
arrangement of doors and a drawer with
fluted pilasters, on carved paw feet, 153cm.
wide.

A WALNUT CIRCULAR TRIPOD
TABLE, Victorian, the top inlaid with a
chessboard, raised on a foliate and fluted
column and down swept legs, 52cm. diameter.

A MAHOGANY TEAPOY, George IV,
the rectangular top with canted corners and
now lacking fittings, on a turned column and
form base, 48cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY ENVELOPE CARD TABLE, Edwardian, the top inlaid with ribbon tied husk swags above a frieze drawer, on tapered square legs, 56cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE, George II, made-up, with a pie-crust border, gadrooned baluster column and on down swept legs, 55cm. diameter.

AN OVAL EXTENDING DINING TABLE, Victorian and later, raised on lobed baluster and turned legs, with an extra leaf, distressed, and winding handle, 180cm. long extended.

A MAHOGANY AND ROSEWOOD WINE TABLE, George III, made-up, the top raised on an hexagonal baluster column and arched legs, one leg damaged and repaired. 37cm. wide.

AN INLAID WALNUT SIDE CABINET, Victorian, the marble top above a central mirrored door flanked be open recesses and paneled cupboards, on a plinth base, 152cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY TWO-TIER ‘LAZY SUSAN’, Victorian and later, with a weighted molded base. 56cm. diameter.

A GILTWOOD CONVEX WALL MIRROR, 19th Century, with an eagle and foliate cresting, 53cm. diameter.

A FOUR FOLD LACQUER SCREEN, Chinese, early 20th Century, mounted with soapstone, ivory and mother of pearl depicting battle scenes, distressed, each panel 189cm, high by 39cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY AND PARCEL-GILT FRETWORK WALL MIRROR, George II style, the eagle cresting above a rectangular plate, 57cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY LINEN
PRESS, Victorian, with a pair of paneled
doors enclosing trays, above an open shelf
and plinth base, 137cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY BOW-FRONT SIDE CABINET, Regency style, 20th Century, with four graduated drawers flanked by cupboard doors with a metal grille, on bracket feet, 103cm.

A PAIR OF HARDWOOD AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAID ARMCHAIRS, Chinese, late 19th/early 20th Century, carved and inlaid with flowers and foliage, with solid seats and square legs.

A WALNUT SOFA, Victorian, with a
button upholstered back and foliate carved scrolling arms and legs, 152cm. wide.

A SET OF SIX WALNUT DINING CHAIRS, Italian, 18th Century style, with padded backs and seats, molded rails and on tapering fluted legs.

A SIMULATED COROMANDEL AND SATINWOOD WORK TABLE, George III, the top and fitted frieze drawer ‘inlaid’ with foliage and scrolls, above a distressed wool basket, on tapered square legs, 57cm. wide.

WALNUT AND EBONISED SIDE TABLE, LOUIS XVI STYLE STAINED WALNUT SETTEE, UPHOLSTERED CHAISE EN CONFIDENT, MAHOGANY SIDEBOARD

A WALNUT AND EBONISED SIDE TABLE, Victorian, with a pair of frieze drawers and raised on lobed and turned tapering legs, 81cm. wide.    A WALNUT CANTERBURY, Victorian, the dividers pierced and carved with scrolling foliage, on toupee feet, one foot detached,, 53cm. wide.

A LOUIS XVI STYLE STAINED WALNUT SETTEE, 19th Century, with a foliate and quiver cresting, raised on fluted tapering legs, 119cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE, George II, made-up, the octoroon top raised on a baluster column and down swept legs, later carved with fruiting vines, damage to top, 56cm. diameter.

A GILTWOOD ARMCHAIR, Regency style, 19th Century, carved with shells, foliage and strap work, with a caned back and on cabriole legs.

A MAHOGANY SERPENTINE TOILET MIRROR, George III, with an oval plate and three drawer box base, 39cm. wide.; and A WALNUT SPOON-BACK NURSING CHAIR, Victorian, with a foliate cresting and on cabriole legs.

A WALNUT FRETWORK WALL MIRROR, George II, the rectangular plate within a molded frame, with a shaped cresting and apron, lacking some cresting, 38cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY RECTANGULAR CARD TABLE, George III, with canted corners, raised on tapered square legs with spade feet, one rear leg detached, 91cm. wide.

A NEST OF THREE MAHOGANY
AND SATINWOOD CROSSBANDED
OCCASIONAL TABLES, George III style,
on slender ring-turned legs, 52cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY AND PARCEL GILT
FRETWORK WALL MIRROR, George III,
the rectangular plate within a foliate band, now lacking bird cresting, 38cm. wide.

A CARVED OAK WALL MIRROR, the rectangular plate with a pierced frame carved with scrolling fruiting vines, 115cm. high by 93cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY BUREAU, George III, with three long graduated drawers, on bracket feet, 82cm. wide.

AN UPHOLSTERED CHAISE EN CONFIDENT, French, circa 1890, covered in blue fabric with twin adjustable chair backs, the valance apron concealing turned feet. A similar example is illustrated in Le Mobilier Domestique, Vol. I, p. 171, published Paris, 1987, by Nicole de Reynis, and also in Les Styles Franais — Le Mobilier, p65, published Paris by Plaisir de France.

A MAHOGANY ARMCHAIR, George III, with an arched splat back and serpentine upholstered seat, on tapered square legs.

A ROSEWOOD AND INLAID KNEEHOLE WRITING TABLE, Edwardian, with a galleried leather inset top and five drawers, on tapered square legs with castors, 105cm. wide.

A REPRODUCTION MAHOGANY PEDESTAL DESK, with claret leather inset top, 115cm. wide.

TWO MAHOGANY UPHOLSTERED ARMCHAIRS, George III, reconstructed, covered in nailed green hide, the square legs joined by stretchers.

A MAHOGANY RECTANGULAR PEDESTAL TABLE, George III style, made-up, on quadruple splayed feet and castors, 135cm. wide.

A CARVED OAK AND
UPHOLSTERED PRIE DIEU, Victorian,
with a pierced cresting and spiral-twist
supports, on cabriole legs with claw and ball
feet.

AN EARLY MAHOGANY WORK TABLE, Victorian, now lacking a well, on a pillar support and platform base with scroll feet, 54cm. wide.

A WALNUT BUREAU, late George III, with two short and two long drawers, on bracket feet, stationery compartments replaced, 99cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY SIDEBOARD, early
Victorian, with an inverted breakfront base,
153cm. wide.

REEDED FRAME DRESSING TABLE MIRROR, MAHOGANY SERVING TABLE, BEECHWOOD AND UPHOLSTERED FAUTEUIL, SATINWOOD CROSSBANDED EXTENDING DINING TABLE

TWO RUSH SEAT LADDER BACK CHAIRS

A WALNUT ARTIST’S EASEL, 19th Century, with a rear hinged support and ratchet adjusted picture rest, 91cm. wide.; Reputedly to have been in the possession of Sir George Clauses R.A. and purchased from his son in 1971 who believed the easel to have originated from the studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds.

A HUANG HUALI LOW TABLE, Chinese, late 19th /early 20th Century, with a square top and pierced apron, on square legs, 43cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY REEDED FRAME DRESSING TABLE MIRROR, with a rectangular plate, 39cm. wide.; and A MAHOGANY SHIELD-SHAPED DRESSING TABLE MIRROR, inlaid with stringing, 17cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY TOILET MIRROR, the oval beveled plate on scroll supports, the quarter veneered base with two small drawers, 61cm. wide.

A PAIR OF MAHOGANY BALLOON-BACK RECLINING ARMCHAIRS, Continental, covered in red leather cloth, on turned legs and castors, seats now fixed.

A MAHOGANY SERVING TABLE,
Regency, with a galleried asymmetrical top,
ebonized bandings and dummy drawers, on
receded turned legs with paw feet, formerly one
of a pair, 224cm. wide.

A WALNUT REVOLVING SQUARE
FOUR-TIER OPEN BOOKCASE, Canadian,
late 19th Century, stamped, Tees and Co.
Manufacturers, Montreal, Patent, July 1876,,
60cm.

A MAHOGANY AND SATINWOOD BANDED BOW-FRONT SIDEBOARD, Victorian, the two drawers flanked by cupboards, faults, rear gallery lacking, 183cm. wide..

A MAHOGANY AND GLAZED BREAKFRONT LIBRARY BOOKCASE, Victorian, on a plinth base, 228cm. high by 180cm. wide.

A MAHOGANY GOUT STOOL, Victorian, by Levers on and Sons, London, with ratchet action and claret velvet upholstery, bearing trade label, 63cm. long.

A MAHOGANY
PEMBROKE WORK TABLE, early Victorian, with drawers, cupboard and receded legs, 36cm. wide. when closed.

A GILT FRAMED AND UPHOLSTERED SCROLL-END SETTEE, Regency, covered in yellow fabric with twin bolster cushions, 214cm. wide..

SI A PAIR OF BEECH WOOD PAINTED AND PARCEL-GILT ARMCHAIRS, late George III, with trellis splats and cane seats, paintwork distressed.

A MAHOGANY CABINET BOOKCASE, early Victorian, with astragal doors above cupboard doors, on a plinth base, 232cm. high by 78cm. wide..

A SETTEE, Louis XV style, the stained frame carved with shells and foliage, the padded back and seat covered with purple damask, on cabriole legs.

A MAHOGANY TILT TOP PEDESTAL TABLE, Victorian, of circular form with columnar stem and reform base on paw feet, 119cm. diameter.

A BEECHWOOD AND UPHOLSTERED FAUTEUIL, Louis XVI, with a tapered back and fluted turned legs, formerly gilded.

A MAHOGANY AND SATINWOOD CROSSBANDED EXTENDING DINING TABLE, George III style, with  stringing and a single frieze drawer, on tapered square legs with spade feet, with three associated leaves, 248cm. long extended by 134cm. wide.

AN OAK DRESSER, Victorian, the raised two shelf back above a pair of drawers and two paneled cupboard doors, on a plinth base, 130cm. wide.

BREAKFRONT AND LIBRARY BOOKCASES

About 1730 onwards
George III mahogany breakfront bookcase with broken pediment.
Free-standing domestic bookcases were rare before the 18thC. Those made for Samuel Pepys in the 1660s are the earliest known. After about 1720, as people owned more books, substantial bookcases were to be found in the libraries of all large houses; by the end of the century they were features of other rooms too, and of smaller homes. Not all were meant exclusively for books; many were used for china instead, or for both.
18thC bookcases were predominantly architectural in character and sometimes of monumental size. After 1740 many were made in breakfront form: a large central section projecting forwards beyond two flanking wings. Straight-fronted bookcases are today generally distinguished from breakfronts by the term ‘library bookcase’.
STYLE AND APPEARANCE
Six categories; but they share basically the same form. An upper, generally glazed, section for books, with a carved and moulded cornice, sometimes surmounted by a pediment, sits above a deeper and shorter lower section comprising cupboards (and sometimes drawers too) for storage of maps, prints and other papers. Occasionally, a secretaire drawer is also present. Pediments were often broken, their centre (with or without a raised plinth) holding a bust, carved eagle, urn or other work of art.
The six categories are:
Kentian, about 1710-1740 (rare today): Bold classical architectural features: broken pediments, deep cornices, pilasters faced with pendants of fruit and flowers. Central doors often arched. Upper section with large rectangular panels of glass set in broad, moulded bars, or blind of mirror panelling. Base with panelled doors, sometimes shaped and fielded, supported on a plinth.
Chippendale period, about 1740-1765: Still with classical features, but more restrained. Cornices narrower and plainer.
Fashionable pieces had a central pediment with pierced carving, wings surmounted by fretwork gallery. Pediment could be swan-neck. Availability of mahogany meant thinner and lighter glazing bars, often carved in rococo, chinoiserie and Gothic patterns (rococo occasionally gilded) or astragals (see p. 329) arranged in geometric patterns. Today, a large number of panes in an individual pattern (say 13 or 15) is considered to be a sign of quality. Base still panelled, with decorative carved edging or applied blind fret mouldings. Plinths often replaced by bracket feet.
Neo-classical, about 1770-1790: Neat and formal over-all. Simple pediments, often with urns in centre and at corners.
Cornices carved with repetitive classical ornament; astragals in geometric patterns. Lower doors with simple mouldings applied in square, circular or oval shapes, often with paterae at corners. Stands on a plinth base.
Sheraton-style, about 1790-1810: Often narrower than before, lower section taller. Pediments scroll- or lunette-shaped.
Upper doors sometimes with brass wire trellis and pleated silk rather than astragals. Astragals could be painted or gilt lead. Lower doors with decorative veneers. Large central ovals common. Splay feet fashionable, occasionally turned feet after 1800.
Regency/early Victorian, about 18101850: Large bookcases less common at first than small. Could have Egyptian or Grecian ornament (see DWARF BOOKCASES).
Antefizae on corners. Lunette-shaped pediments, if any. Fluting interspersed with paterae popular feature on cornices.
Late Regency plain. Straight moulded cornices, scrolled or acanthus carved supports typical of day.
Victorian, about 1840-1900: Often very plain, even best quality relying only on veneers for decorative effects. A large number almost style-less. Arched doors with plain glass echoed by applied arched mouldings on lower doors. Sometimes rococo/naturalistic mouldings below. Lower part could also be glazed. Cornices deep and heavily moulded, sometimes with rounded corners. Simple bracket supports sometimes present.
Could also be reformist Gothic; characteristic features: chamfered edges, diagonal boarded panelling on lower doors; or, Renaissance style: heavily carved all over. (See
under DECORATION)
18thC styles were revived at end of the 19thC. Sheraton-style particularly popular during Edwardian period, but often a poor imitation. Considerable reduction in size. Brightly contrasting cross-banding and inlay of shells, fans, combined with dentin-moulded cornice common. Often yellowish mahogany with poor, treacly-looking finish.
MATERIALS
Walnut in the Queen Anne period; sometimes painted and gessoed pine. Mahogany from about 1730, joined by satinwood around 1790. Rosewood only rarely, during Regency. Both walnut and mahogany during Victoria’s reign; oak for reformist Gothic and (less common) Renaissance style.
Various designs for bookcase and cabinet pediments: in particular A, 1680-1730; A 1730-1750; C, 1750-1780; A pagoda-shaped cresting, about 1750-1770; E, scrolling arch, about 1780-1810; F neo-classical urns and drapery, about 1765-1800; G, scrolling arch with urn, about 1790-1830.
BOOKCASES
CONSTRUCTION
Standard practices employed. Sometimes revealed mortise-and-tenon construction on reformist Gothic. Many convincing reproductions of 18thC bookcases were made by the Victorians and at a glance look right, so look for indications of age, such as:
Shelf supports: Early 18thC pieces have shelves slotted between narrow strips of wood glued to the sides at regular intervals. From about 1730, shelves were more usually rebated into grooves cut in the sides. After 1800: supported on wood or metal pegs plugged into pairs of evenly spaced holes.
If the shelf supports continue right up to the top of each side, the bookcase has almost certainly been cut down. They should finish a book’s height below the cornice.
Glazing bars: Before 1800 bars were usually rebated into stiles and rails, therefore
Left, glazing bar rebated into style; right, astragal glazing bars.
flush with surface. After 1800: more commonly tenoned, therefore slightly recessed.
Other points of interest: Cases originally intended for china may have grooves at the back of the shelves for the support of plates.
Original glass will not be completely flat and clear. The putty holding it in place will be very hard and dark and will have accumulated a good deal of dirt.
If there was once a pediment there will be obvious marks where it once sat. Its absence does not necessarily affect value. Try and get up there to take a look.
DECORATION
Principally carved ornament, mostly on cornices. In 18th and early 19thC, classical style. Could be Vitruvian scrolls, egg-and-dart, tongue-and-dart, dentil moulding, acanthus, Gothic fret, fluting interspersed with paterae, swags.
Blind fret carving on lower doors and cornices, in mid-18thC sometimes open fret on pediments.
Figuring of veneer always a main feature. Decorative use of veneers in the forms of ovals, cross-banding on Sheraton and Sheraton revival pieces, occasionally restrained inlay in addition.
Incised decoration sometimes present on reformist Gothic pieces; occasionally inlay of ebony, ivory too, in small repetitive geometric patterns. Bold carving of lion’s masks, foliage, geometric mouldings, cartouches, on Renaissance revival pieces.
Handles: When present, they follow prevailing patterns.
FINISH
Left, 18thC shelf arrangements; above, 19thC fixing,
Polish. Stain on 19thC oak; light, often yellowish, for Gothic, dark for Renaissance.
RELATIVE VALUES
Quality 18thC bookcases in original condition are valuable items, many fetching well into five figures. Pediments, secretaire drawers, a pre-1750 date and, most important, breakfronts, will increase value. Similar library versions are generally cheaper as are small Sheraton-style pieces with decorative veneers. Late Regency/William IV mahogany, Victorian/Edwardian mahogany reproductions of 18thC pieces, Victorian oak and walnut are all variable.