Early 19th Century William IV Period Breakfront Library Bookcase

A fine 19th century French Louis-Philippe period maple & mahogany bureau bookcase. Shaped moulded sides and cornice above a pair of shaped glazed doors with adjustable shelves, above...

A superb quality mid 19th-century, William IV, early Victorian period four-door breakfront mahogany library bookcase. It features a moulded cornice above four original glazed doors e...

A stunning quality 18th-century George III period mahogany country house bureau bookcase, retaining its original patina and rich colour. This well-proportioned piece features a mould...

An exceptional fine early 19th century, Regency period brass, mahogany, satinwood and boxwood inlay secretaire bookcase. The upper section with a surmounted by an ornate fretted bras...

This elegant 19th-century French bookcase is a striking example of classic craftsmanship and timeless design. Made from solid walnut, it showcases a rich, warm patina that highlights...

Large William IV mahogany breakfront bookcase. This bookcase stands upon a plinth base Period 19th Century The lower section having 4 paneled doors with wonderful flame mahogany timb...

A fine early William IV mahogany breakfront bookcase firmly attributed Gillows of Lancaster, in four sections, the top with astragal glazed doors enclosing four adjustable shelves between reeded pilasters with anthemion scroll corbels, the base with four panelled arched doors between acanthus scroll and reeded pilasters, the frieze with two short drawers and a central secretaire drawer fitted with a reading slope and two slides above small compartments, decorated throughout with rich book-matched veneers. The secretaire drawer stamped ‘Preston’. English, circa 1835. Footnote: Many closely related acanthus carved terminals, anthemion corbels and other typical Gillows features can be seen on the pair of bookcases, on this website, made by Gillows & Co for the library at Dallam Tower, Cumbria in 1829, and on a bookcase shown in Susan E. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, Antique Collectors’ Club, 2008, vol. I, p.379, pl.450. A similar large breakfront bookcase...

An Exceptional Quality Early 19th Century French Mahogany Bookcase with the Finest Possible Veneers and Wonderful Carving Throughout. This superb bookcase features the best quality mahogany veneers laid on to an oak carcase with solid mahogany doors, all expensive features that were only employed by the best workshops when money was no object. The shaped cornice and the panelled lower doors suggest a gothic inspiration but this is handled with real delicacy which was often not the case with later 19th century gothic revivalism which could be overbearing and overpowering to the eye. Designed for the display of fine books, porcelain or objects, the top section of the bookcase is largely plain, allowing the fine veneers to shine in conjunction with small carvings on the pilasters and a number of finely executed mouldings. The lower section is where the decorative scheme becomes more pronounced, small acanthus carvings on the pilasters framing the spectacular panelled doors which are executed in particularly high relief. Even here where the decoration is more prominent, the grain of the mahogany catches the eye first as it is so beautifully figured and of excellent colour. The pilasters on this lower section are carved so as to simulate partially octagonal columns of obvious gothic inspiration and there are pull out reading and writing slides concealed in the frieze between the upper and lower sections. The doors in the base section open to reveal simple cupboards...