Lot 448
A 19th century mahogany Chinese Chippendale style kneehole bookcase
Auction: 30 June 2001 at 12:00 BST
Description
the breakfront upper cabinet with pierced fretwork cresting and open work finials, above dentilled cornice and blind fretwork frieze, the taller central section with single astragal glazed door enclosing adjustable shelves and corresponding narrower flanks, raised on shallow blind fretted moulded plinth, the deeper base with moulded rectangular top and frieze drawer with blind fretwork front and baize lined writing slide enclosing compartments, above kneehole with bracketed blind fretwork frieze and fielded panel door flanked by six graduated drawers and moulded plinth base
118cm wide, 243cm high, 63.5cm deep
Footnote
Provenance: Crawford Priory, Fife
(Sold Love's of Perth 29th and 30th September, 1st October 1970 Lot 624)
This bookcase can be related to a design for a Writing Table and Bookcase in the Society of Upholsterers Genteel Household Furniture in the Present Taste 2nd ed. 1765 pl.51 pt.II plate LXXXIX of Chippendale's Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director 1754, a 'bureau dresssing-chest and bookcase' is also similar. The Chinese taste was particularly popular during the Chippendale Revival in the mid and later 19th century.
The form of this cabinet is comparable to the Wentworth Woodhouse dressing table cabinet sold by Christie's (July 8, 1998 lot 70) and the related one at Nostell Priory, both attributed to Wright and Elwick. A similar adapted bookcase cabinet was also formerly at Hopetoun House, West Lothian (Christie's sale July 19, 1993 lot 125)
Elizabeth White Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Design Antique Collectors Club 1990 p.40