Cerused oak glazed bookcase from Warwick Castle, England c.1885

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Cerused oak glazed bookcase from Warwick Castle, England c.1885

About the Item

Cerused oak glazed bookcase from Warwick Castle, England c.1885. This handsome oak bookcase with its deeply carved details on both the upper and lower cabinet sections was made at the end of the nineteenth century for one of the dependant buildings on the grounds of Warwick Castle in Warwickshire on the river Avon in England. Please enlarge the additional photographs provided to see the wonderful detail to the carving that makes this such a desirable bookcase/display cabinet. Interestingly the carving is sen across the crown of the piece and along both the vertical sections of both the left and right sides while the lower cabinet doors are enhanced with symmetrical applied moulding that provides a relief effect across the surface. Both the impressively shallow depth and the great height of this cabinet give it an impressive quality while the large upper doors with their antique glass panels (that have the customary ripples and waviness that makes antique glass so enchanting) allow for a vast area for display. The upper cabinet has three adjustable shelves while the lower cabinet doors open to reveal a shelf that effectively doubles the amount of storage space. This oak cabinet has an unusual surface treatment known as "ceruse" which highlights the grain of the oak as well as throwing the carving into relief. Originally, ceruse was the use of a lead based pigment being rubbed into the open grain of the oak but as this dangerously potent the lead was discontinued and a paint was substituted to achieve the same effect. In order for a cerused surface to be successful a particular type of old growth oak with an open grain must be used. After the curuse solution is applied it is left to seep into the open grain before being rubbed away leaving the white pigment in the grain of the oak. The subtle variation in the manner in which the grain accepts the white colour is what gives the unique effect to the entire surface. Because this cabinet offers both storage and diplay capacity in a memorable combination of carved and surface treatment it has the unique capacity to be used in either a modern interior or as part of a more traditional setting as its character will change depending upon what is displayed behind the glass front doors.

Dimensions:
Height: 100 in (254 cm)Width: 58 in (147.32 cm)Depth: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Oak
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
c.1885
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: JHA21821stDibs: LU8668898451