About
George II Palladian mahogany breakfront bookcase, 18th century The broken swan’s-neck pediment with gadroon- and dentil-carved bands terminating in a foliate roundel, above a like-carved frieze over two central doors, each inset with a shaped mirrored panel, flanked to either side by a single door, featuring a finely carved floral festoon, centered by fluted Corinthian pilasters, opening to a shelved interior, the lower section fitted with a drop-front secretary drawer opening to an inset leather writing surface and a variety of drawers and cubbyholes, flanked to either side by two small drawers, over two paneled cupboard doors, the side sections each fitted with four graduated drawers, raised on a plinth base. This design is similar to those found in William Salmon’s, “Palladio Londinensis.” Reference this exact piece in “The Antiques Directory Furniture,” General Editors, Judith and Martin Miller, Portland House, New York, 1985, page 118 Breakfront (C Price Classification: “An Early George III mahogany breakfront secretaire bookcase, with shaped bevelled glazed cupboard doors, flanked by outer doors carved with Corinthian pilasters, lower section with secretaire drawer”) Provenance: Williams Antiques, Atlanta, Georgia. See carvings almost identical in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.
Details
Dimensions
Height: 106 in. (269.24 cm)
Width: 124 in. (314.96 cm)
Depth: 24 in. (60.96 cm)
Style: Georgian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Mahogany, Carved,
Place of Origin: Ireland, Republic of
Period: Mid-18th Century
Date of Manufacture: 1750
Condition
Good
Additions or alterations made to the original: Though a vetted London trade piece and well-published, under close inspection we believe this piece to have been masterfully altered to a smaller size as we see now. Repaired: Mirrors replace. Wear consistent with age and use. Note of Age: This Magnificent Breakfront appears to be Mid-to-Late 18th Century with Alterations and Museum Quality Restoration.
Seller Location
Essex, MA
