Showrooms

Very Large Regency Period Triple Breakfront Mahogany Bookcase

Creator: Gillows of Lancaster & London (Attributed)
Offered by: Michael Lipitch Ltd

Description
England c. 1815

The cornice of moulded section above fine flame veneers, matching the cupboard doors of the lower part, the eight tall glazed cabinet doors with rectilinear astragals with scrolls at the top ending in circular ebony paterae, and framed by six ebony-panelled and three triple-reeded pilasters, the mahogany and ebony square-beaded waist moulding above eight similarly panelled and framed cupboard doors, their flame-figured veneers ebony-strung and cross-banded, on a finely veneered plinth base. English, c. 1815.

Provenance
There is a design for a very similar bookcase in the Gillow Archives, dated 1814, of just the same size and triple reverse breakfront outline. It has exactly the same distinctive design of glazing bars as this present bookcase, very similar cornice and closely related lower part. Another with just the same glazing, smaller and with a straightforward breakfront form, was supplied by Gillows in 1812, the first appearance of this pattern of glazing, of which there are other examples in subsequent years, up until about 1825.

This exceptionally large bookcase is also notable for the particularly fine use of timber. Not only are the cupboard doors of very finely figured flame veneer, but unusually the cornice is similarly veneered and even the plinth is of remarkably fine veneer. The firm of Gillow's is a byword for the quality of the furniture it produced and for the materials used in its construction, and as well as the direct comparisons above, the design of this bookcase also relates to others produced by the firm, such as the well-known set at Tatton Park, Cheshire, of 1811. Other bookcases by Gillows of the same triple and reverse breakfront form as the present example, are those supplied to Sir John Shaw Stewart, Ardgowan House, Renfrew, in 1802, and to Edward Hobson, Hope, Manchester, in 1811. The form also features in the designs of the firm from slightly earlier, such as a Gothic Library Bookcase supplied to Daniel Leo, Llanerch Park, St. Asaph in 1795 and a Library Bookcase for Mr. Stainbank, of 1797.

A related, smaller bookcase, with similar cornice and glazing bars, was recently on the market, having previously been in the collection of the Graham family, Golant, Cornwall.

More Information

Origin:	England
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Mahogany.
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	1815
Styles / Movements:	Georgian, Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	327197

Dimensions

W.	218.9 in;	H.	125 in;	D.	19.69 in;
W.	556 cm;	H.	317.5 cm;	D.	50 cm;

Message from Seller:

Michael Lipitch Ltd, established in 1960, offers a curated selection of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century antiques, focusing on authenticity, provenance, and rarity. Based in St James's, London, Michael Lipitch works closely with collectors, museums, and designers to source exceptional pieces, available by appointment only; contact him at michaellipitchantiques@gmail.com or +44 7730 954347.

Sold