Items Similar to Important Pair of Mahogany Bookcases by John Belchier, Mid 18th Century
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5
Important Pair of Mahogany Bookcases by John Belchier, Mid 18th Century
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
The broken pediment above moulded and segmental cornice, carved with repeating egg and dart and foliate mouldings, each bookcase with exceptionally executed and original bevelled float glass doors, enclosing adjustable shelves. The upper cabinet sections are lined in oak, further indicating and supplementing their original use as bookcases (rather than to display China or objects); notably, storing and displaying books behind glass has precedents, the finest example being the important and superbly executed desk and bookcases made by Sympson the joiner, for Samuel Pepys in the late 17th Century. The lower breakfront sections with three long drawers, all lined in an early and dense West Indian mahogany, with brass escutcheons and swan neck handles, above central and flanking cupboard sections with adjustable shelves. John Belchier’s pasted label can be found on the inner central door of the lower cupboard section on one of the bookcases, photographed here and beautifully scripted; ‘Made by John Belchier / at the Sun / in St. Paul’s Church / Yard’.
Formerly in the prestigious collection of Phillips of Hitchin, with archival images and their inclusion of the pair at the Grosvenor House Antiques Fair (1970), included.
Also catalogued at Christie’s, Thursday May 21, 1970, in their ‘Important English Furniture, Rugs and Carpets’ sale, with reference images also included.
Belchier, whose name is thought to reflect Huguenot origins, was possibly the son of another important craftsman (also John Belchier) who may well be the tradesman who worked extensively for Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu, at Boughton House, Northamptonshire, during the latter part of the 17th Century. John Belchier – the younger – received his most significant commission from John Meller at Erddig, Wales, for whom he produced a celebrated suite of gilt and silver gilt gesso furniture during the 1720’s (further reading in Martin Drury, ‘Early Eighteenth-Century Furniture at Erddig,’ Apollo, July 1978, pp.46-55). In the 1730’s he also carried out important work for the Purefoy family at Shalston, Buckinghamshire. In addition to his work as a cabinetmaker, and poignant for these bookcases in question, Belchier also produced both clear and mirrored glass. Records reveal that he supplied a quantity of glass for St. Paul’s Cathedral in the 1720’s, and in all likelihood he rather unusually and exhibiting great scale within his workshops and heightened skill, manufactured the glass for his own furniture.
Additional information:
Dimension: Height: 253 cm, 99 5/8″
Width at top (cornice): 187 cm, 73 5/8″
Width at waist: 170 cm, 66 7/8″
Width at base (plinth): 180 cm, 70 7/8″
Depth (deepest, at break): 63.5 cm, 25″
- Creator:John Belchier (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 99.61 in (253 cm)Width: 73.63 in (187 cm)Depth: 25.01 in (63.5 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-18th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU848141117572
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2001
1stDibs seller since 2008
34 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 to 2 days
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Mitcham, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllPair of Bookcases, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Early 19th Century Bookcases
Additional information:
Dimensions: Height: 258.5 cm, 8 foot 6″
Height of bottom cabinet section: 91.5 cm, 3 foot
Width: 150 cm, 4 foot 11″
De...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Bookcases
Materials
Abalone
$88,928 / set
Pair of Mahogany Waterfall Bookcases by Gillows of Lancaster
Located in London, GB
Each crossbanded in rosewood, with four graduating shelves, with turned tapering reeded supports, brass caps and casters. The pair of bookcases have recessed reeded columns in the Pompeian manner and are framed by ‘ribboned’ rosewood. In 1801, Gillows of London and Lancaster supplied a closely related pair of bookcases to Luke Dillon, 2nd Lord Clonbrock to furnish his new library at his ancestral home, Clonbrock in Co. Galway. They were sold by Mr. and Mrs Luke Dillon-Mahon, Clonbrock, Christie’s house sale, 1st November 1976, Lot 12. The fashionable ‘moving bookcase’ of this type featured in Thomas Sheraton’s Appendix to the Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Drawing Book, 1802 (pl.23).
Provenance: Most likely supplied to Robert Ferguson...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
A Pair of Exceptional Quality Regency Architectural Bookcases
Located in London, GB
A pair of exceptional quality Regency architectural bookcases, with grill doors on plinth bases, English, circa 1835.
Almost certainly by Holland and Sons.
Height: 235 cm (92 3/4 i...
Category
Antique 1830s British William IV Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Chippendale Period Bookcase
Located in London, GB
A mid-18th century Chippendale period bookcase with broken pediment, decorated with dentil foliate and shell motif.
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Chippendale Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Satinwood Glazed Bookcase, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An Early 19th Century Satinwood Glazed Bookcase
Of ‘pure’ from and handsomly drawn design, the strong lines and architecturally driven shaping is complimented by the lustre of the s...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Bookcases
Materials
Satinwood
Monumental Scale George III Mahogany & Glazed Breakfront Bookcase, Late 18th Cen
Located in London, GB
The cornice with stepped and moulded form, with dentil moulding and egg and dart carving, over large glazed cabinet doors retaining much of the original lightly undulating late 18th ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century George III Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
You May Also Like
Pair of Late 18th Century George III Mahogany Bookcase Cabinets
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A very fine pair of late 18th century English George III bookcase cabinets in richly figured mahogany. Each features a molded cornice with dentil and foliate carving above glazed doo...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Walnut Bookcases
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of 19th century French walnut two door bookcases.
Of good size and with part glazed doors and adjustable shelves.
Circa 1890.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
$6,977 / set
Pair of mahogany glazed bookcases
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of mahogany glazed bookcases, the carved moulded cornice above two large astragal glazed doors with bevelled glass opening to reveal adjustable shelved interior. The base sectio...
Category
Early 20th Century British Bookcases
Materials
Wood
$13,790 Sale Price / set
20% Off
A Pair of Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bookcases, C. 1920.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A refined pair of Louis XVI style mahogany bookcases, circa 1920, each topped with a richly veined marble surface framed by a delicate pierced brass gallery over a single drawer and ...
Category
Early 20th Century Argentine Louis XVI Bookcases
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Regency Style Mahogany Open Bookcase's
Located in Martlesham, GB
A nice pair of mid-20th century Regency style mahogany open bookcases, each bookcase having four adjustable shelves inside, decorat...
Category
Vintage 1960s English Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
$3,994 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Mahogany Library Bookcases
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of mahogany library bookcases, each with moulded cornice, above a pair of glazed panelled doors enclosing adjustable shelved interior. Flanked by three-quarter round turned pila...
Category
Antique 19th Century British Bookcases
Materials
Wood
$13,653 / set
More Ways To Browse
Mid Century Antiques
Pair Mid Century Cabinets
Archive Cabinet
Escutcheon Midcentury
18th Century Swan
18Th Century Mirrored Cabinet
Archival Storage Furniture
Antique Record Cabinet
18th Century China Cabinet
18th Century Chinese Cabinets
Brass Swans Mid Century
Mid Century Record Storage
Mid Century Record Cabinet
English China Cabinet
18th Century Mahogany Mirror
Indian Carved Cabinet
18th Century Glass Display Cabinet
John Swan