The pierced cornice with central acanthus-carved swan's neck cresting flanked by trellis-pattern, the sides with geometric fretwork, above a fluted frieze divided by paterae, above two pairs of geometrically-glazed doors, each enclosing four shelves, the back with three frieze drawers above two pairs of paneled doors with patera angles, on a plinth base, the fillet dividing the central door replaced, formerly with six finials
99¹⁄₂ in. (253 cm.) high, 85¹⁄₂ in. (217 cm.) wide, 19¹⁄₄ in. (49 cm.) deep

Captain John Wyndham, Hinton House, Christchurch, Hampshire, and subsequently at Bathealton Court, Wivelscombe, Somerset.
Anonymous Sale, Christie’s, London, 25 June 1987, lot 155.
Acquired from M. Turpin Antiques, London, in 2002.

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Lot Essay

This breakfront bookcase is a rare example of the rococo, neoclassical, and gothic styles integrated into a singular piece. It corresponds with the designs for bookcases by Thomas Chippendale (d. 1779) published in The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 3rd Ed., 1762. In particular, the scrolled foliate pediment and pierced fretwork cornice relate to those seen on the bookcase from plate XCVIII and the glazing pattern on the upper cabinet doors is an elongated version of the design seen on plate XCV, while the patera-adorned re-entrant corners appear on the right-hand design for 'Two Bookcases', on plate LXXXVII.