Object Description
A superb late Regency flame mahogany breakfront bookcase, Circa 1830 in date.
The decorative ball mounted cornice sits beautifully above a pair of lancet astragal glazed doors, flanked by further glazed doors, all enclosing adjustable shelves.
The doors are divided by diamond carved quarter columns marked with flower heads, the projecting base is fitted with with four drawers in the frieze, over four panel cupboard doors, each opening to a central shelf and flanked and divided by matching decorative carved corner quarter columns.
The whole is raised on a plinth base.
Complete with working locks and keys.
Condition:
In excellent original condition having only been beautifully cleaned, polished and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 257 cm x Width 294 cm x Depth 54 cm
Dimensions in inches:
Height 8 foot, 5 inches x Width 9 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 9 inches
Regency Furniture
During the Regency period it was fashionable to copy the classical furniture of the Roman and Greek times. Furniture had stopped evolving in design and had moved back to classical forms. The pioneer designers who represented this period were:
Thomas Hope (1770-1831), George Smith (1804-28), Henry Holland (1745 – 1806)
George IV had a major influence over the furniture makers of the time.
This period saw the introduction of brass to wood from the previous marquetry that had been originally used. The sofa table was also introduced.
The main features of the Regency period furniture were their simplicity, with straight, unbroken surfaces and lines.
Flame Mahogany
Thomas Sheraton – 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as “best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works up easily, has a beautiful figure and polishes so well that it is an ornament to any room in which it may be placed.” Matching his words to his work, Sheraton designed much mahogany furniture. The qualities that impressed Sheraton are particularly evident in a distinctive pattern of wood called “flame mahogany.”
The flame figure in the wood is revealed by slicing through the face of the branch at the point where it joins another element of the tree.
Our reference: A4094