Rolleston
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • HOME
  • THE COLLECTION
  • FILMS
  • ABOUT US
  • TEAM
  • FAIRS
  • HISTORY
  • PURCHASING
  • SERVICES
  • CONTACT
Menu
THE COLLECTION
EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH FURNITURE

THE COLLECTION

Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, ENGLISH, CRICA 1765
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, ENGLISH, CRICA 1765
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, ENGLISH, CRICA 1765
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, ENGLISH, CRICA 1765

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE

ENGLISH, CRICA 1765
Height: 98.5" / 250cm
Width: 74.5” / 190cm
Depth: 19.75" / 50cm

R2795

Further images

  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 1 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 2 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 3 ) Thumbnail of additional image
  • (View a larger image of thumbnail 4 ) Thumbnail of additional image
Read more
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EA%20GEORGE%20III%20MAHOGANY%20SECRETAIRE%20BREAKFRONT-BOOKCASE%20ATTRIBUTED%20TO%20THOMAS%20CHIPPENDALE%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3EHeight%3A%2098.5%22%20/%20250cm%3Cbr/%3E%0AWidth%3A%2074.5%E2%80%9D%20/%20190cm%3Cbr/%3E%0ADepth%3A%2019.75%22%20/%2050cm%3Cbr/%3E%0A%3Cbr/%3E%0A%3C/div%3E

Provenance

Mr & Mrs John R. Donnell

Ker Arvor, Newport, USA

Literature

C.Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, vol.II, p.48, fig.45

An early George III mahogany breakfront-bookcase with secretaire drawer, attributed to Thomas Chippendale, the broken swan-neck pediment with rosette terms centring fretwork and a platform above a dentil-moulded cornice and four astragal glazed doors enclosing adjustable shelves, the lower section with a pagoda waist moulding above a central secretaire drawer with fitted interior and inset panel of hide, further drawers and four paneled cupboard doors enclosing adjustable mahogany shelves, retaining original chased-brass handles and standing on a plinth base.

 

Thomas Chippendale is widely considered the finest cabinet-maker and furniture designer of the eighteenth century. His designs, published in his groundbreaking The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director, revolutionised contemporary taste and immediately established him as the greatest designer of his day.

 

Subscribed to by wealthy landowners, cabinet-makers other designers and architects, the Director demonstrated Chippendale’s genius for combining different styles in his designs. Comparing closely with Chippendale’s own sketches, the present bookcase, featuring pagoda motifs and Chinese astragals alongside rocaille foliate handles, seamlessly combining Chinese and French Rococo styles to form a harmonized whole. A fine example is the Chinese fretwork in the pediment which connects long, elegant C-scrolls.

 

In addition to the sophistication of the design, the fine quality of the timber, carving and construction also support attribution to Chippendale.

 

The form of this bookcase with its elegant dentilled swan neck pediment and cornice, paneled cabinet doors and pagoda waist moulding compares to documented examples executed in the workshop of Thomas Chippendale.

 

In particular, it compares closely to a pair of Chippendale bookcases, commissioned by the Earl of Pembroke for Wilton House, that appear in Sir William Chambers’ drawings for the study at Wilton, seen here.

 

This bookcase is exceptional quality throughout. It bears striking design similarities and constructional methods to documented Chippendale pieces, and it is highly likely that this breakfront was also executed in the Chippendale workshop during the mid 1760s.

Previous
|
Next
6 
of  104

ROLLESTON LTD

 

104A Kensington Church Street - London -W8 4BU

Telephone: + 44 (0) 207 229 5892

Email:          advice@rollestonantiques.com

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Pinterest, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Privacy Policy
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2023 Rolleston
Site by Artlogic

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website

Manage cookies
I Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences