Object Description
A Very Fine Quality Late 18th Century George III Period Harewood And Tulipwood Crossbanded Library Bookcase Cabinet Having Elegant Astragal Glazed Doors To Top Enclosing Lined Interior With Replacement Adjustable Glass Shelves Over Superbly Figured Base With Double Depth Secretaire Drawer, Enclosing Attractive Satinwood And Painted Interior, Above Three Further Drawers Raised On Elegant Original Splayed Bracket Feet With Shaped Apron.
The term “secretaire” refers to an item of furniture which is an enclosed writing desk, usually with a fall front of some kind and an upper cabinet section. The secretaire drawer in this bookcase is quite exceptionally executed, with beautiful, elegant hand painted decoration.
The main wood used for the construction of this cabinet is Harewood, a timber which wass rarely used in large scale furniture due to the great expense involved in the process. Actually, Harewood is not a wood itself, but instead it is a stained Sycamore, usually with a greenish hue originally, which more often than not has now worn away. It is a great sign of quality in an item as it took great skill and expense to initially treat, prepare and work. It can now be relatively easily identified by the distinctive flecked/fiddleback appearance of the grain and of course whatever remains of the greenish/grey initial appearance.
Overall this bookcase is of exceptional quality, exudes elegance and adds a real touch of class to absolutely any environment which it is placed in. The historic lining and replacement of the shelves in the top section have resulted in it being able to be used as a display cabinet if so desired, as well as of course being still fit for its original purpose.
Circa 1785.
Height 88in.
Width 36in.
Depth 20.5in.