A GEORGE III MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT LIBRARY BOOKCASE

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT LIBRARY BOOKCASE

ALMOST CERTAINLY BY GILLOWS, C.1775-85

with a broken arch pediment centred with a leaf carved pedestal or truss, the frieze with a dentil moulding and applied laurel swags, above four astragal glazed doors enclosing adjustable shelves, the base with three frieze drawers with later turned knob handles, the central drawer fitted with a baize lined writing slide revealing six plum pudding mahogany and ebony banded lidded compartments, inlaid with satinwood oval panels with ebonised letters, above panelled doors inlaid with rondels, the central cupboard enclosing three slides, the right side fitted with three drawers, the left side with three slides

274cm high, 250cm wide, 51cm deep

Provenance

Almost certainly William Rawlinson, a wealthy Manchester merchant of Ancoats Hall. He was an ancestor of Edward Croft-Murray's mother, Amy (nee James).

From the collection of Edward Croft-Murray CBE (1907-1980).

Catalogue Note

The leaf carved pedestal on the pediment is a very characteristic feature found on Gillows bookcases of this period. It was intended to support a bust or carved ornament. Susan Stuart discusses the truss and quotes Richard Gillow, explaining the feature to Sir Fleetwood Hesketh in 1766: 'In the opens or aprons of the pediment you may have a Busto, carved shield or your arms carved which (ever) you choose but a Busto is the most used at present'. See Susan E. Stuart, 'Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840', vol. II, pp.22-23, pls.552-554 for a satinwood office cabinet designed by Richard Gillow for Mrs Strickland with a very similar pedestal and vol.I, p.361. pls.428-429 for a library bookcase with a similar truss.

The lettered 'alphabet' compartments are also a very characteristic feature of Gillows and can be found on a library desk made for Thomas Gibbons in 1785.