French Louis Philippe Period Tall, Slender Pine Bookcase, circa 1850

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French Louis Philippe Period Tall, Slender Pine Bookcase, circa 1850

About the Item

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! An exceptionally tall and slender French Louis Philippe period pine bookcase, circa 1850. One of the most impressive aspects of this piece is the fact that the sides are each constructed from a single long board of pine timber. This is significant because of the enormous size of the tree that had to be felled in order to mill a board of this great size. Trees with this diameter were not plentiful in the mid-19th century and became increasingly rare just a few decades later as the appetite for these trees grew rapidly. The use of this size of timber indicates this bibliotheque was a private commission made for a specific place in a home. The crown has the lovely slightly curved profile popular during the reign of Louis Philippe (1830-1848) and it is removable so when the piece is moved it remains in fine condition. The tall doors are set flush with the facade by handmade iron hinges that allow the doors to be lifted off and separated from the case again for safety during moving. By making the four glass panes a large size and only separated by one glazing bar the interior display space is mostly visible and has three shelves to place books and objects upon in an attractive manner. There is a single key that unlocks the upper and lower doors by inserting it into the square iron escutcheons (lock plates) that guide the key into the lock. It is interesting to note that the only moulding detail that exists on the entire cabinet is around the glass in the upper section and the solid panels in the lower section. This obligatory construction technique to secure these panels of glass and timber was transformed into a decorative detail by the shape of the moulding instead of just a utilitarian detail. Below the upper doors are a pair of drawers set side by side whose fronts are also flush with the frame. Then at the lowest section of the bibliotheque are pair of cabinet doors that are solid and also open fully to reveal a shelf for storage. These doors are also fitted with the original handmade iron hinges that allow the doors to be lifted off and removed from the cabinet. The straight apron at the base is elevated by feet with the same Louis Philippe profile as the crown at the front and simple straight legs at the base. Originally this bibliotheque was in a room where the illumination came primarily from in front of the cabinet not from the sides. The primary origin of light inside a home at night during this period remained a fire in the hearth and burning candles especially outside major cities. So the effort expended on the front of the bibliotheque and the undecorated sides would take advantage of a lower level of light to showcase the front of the cabinet and the contents inside. Please take a look at the liberal use of hand made pegs used to ensure a secure connection between all the different pieces of pine that are visible over the entire cabinet. This technique has been used ever since the beginning of furniture making because of its superior ability to keep joints tight and immovable. The rare profile of this bibliotheque is due to its height and shallow depth and will be perfect for a challenging spot in an interior.

Dimensions:
Height: 102 in (259.08 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 cm)
Style:
Louis Philippe (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Pine
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1850-1859
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1850
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: EFH0141stDibs: LU86685194533