The glass-fronted bookcase entered the English cabinetmakers' repertoire about the mid-17th century, and the bookcase in one form or another has been an indispensable part of the civilized person's home ever since.The 17th century bookcase tended to be a glazed cabinet from plinth to pediment, with square glass panes. The later Stuart period saw the introduction of the bureau bookcase or the secretaire bookcase, where the bookshelves were double-heightened above a desk or cupboard base. Early bureau bookcases often had mirror or blind-panelled door fronts, although these have frequently been replaced with clear glass panes. During the Regency period, the fashion arose for small cabinet bookcases, rarely more than three feet in height, which left the walls clear for hanging prints and pictures, known in the trade as a 'dwarf bookcase'. Such bookcases were sometimes open at the front, others had elegant brass-grille more...

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A Colonial bookcase with original crocodile crackle glaze…

Colonial Crocodile Crackled Bookcase: South Australian Origin, circa 1860

A Colonial bookcase with original crocodile crackle glaze finish, kauri pine with red pine secondaries, South Australian origin, circa 1860, 235 cm high, 128 cm wide, 50 cm deep

A Colonial Australian cedar two sectional blind bookcase, New…

Colonial Australian Cedar Two Sectional Blind Bookcase, NSW Origin

A Colonial Australian cedar two sectional blind bookcase, New South Wales origin, mid 19th century, 218 cm high, 163 cm wide, 58 cm deep

An early Colonial cedar waterfall front bookcase with scalloped…

Colonial Cedar Waterfall Bookcase with Scalloped Backboard, Tasmanian Origin

An early Colonial cedar waterfall front bookcase with scalloped backboard, all resting on vase shaped feet, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 122 cm high, 118 cm wide, 35 cm deep

Rare Colonial Australian cedar waterfall front bookshelves,…

Antique Colonial Australian Cedar Waterfall Front Bookshelves, Sydney Origin 1840

Rare Colonial Australian cedar waterfall front bookshelves, Sydney origin, circa 1840, 110 cm high, 92 cm wide, 26 cm deep

Australian Colonial cedar 'Waterfall' open bookcase. With…

Colonial Cedar 'Waterfall' Bookcase from Cooma Monaro Region

Australian Colonial cedar 'Waterfall' open bookcase. With triple reeded edges, collected Cooma Monaro region, possibly early 19th century, height 118 cm W94 cm

A Colonial bookcase with original crocodile crackle glaze…

Colonial Crocodile Crackled Bookcase: South Australian Origin, 1860

A Colonial bookcase with original crocodile crackle glaze finish, kauri pine with red pine secondaries, South Australian origin, circa 1860, 235 cm high, 128 cm wide, 50 cm deep

A Colonial cedar elevated two part bookcase/display cabinet.…

Colonial Cedar Two-Part Bookcase/Display Cabinet, Australian, circa 1845

A Colonial cedar elevated two part bookcase/display cabinet. Australian circa 1845, 123 cm wide, 37 cm deep, 197 cm high

A Colonial Australian cedar bookcase with shield panel doors…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Shield Doors and Turned Columns

A Colonial Australian cedar bookcase with shield panel doors and turned columns, mid 19th century, 237 cm high, 144 cm wide, 54 cm deep

An important Colonial WA jarrah two-door library bookcase, mid…

Colonial WA Jarrah Library Bookcase, Mid 19th Century

An important Colonial WA jarrah two-door library bookcase, mid 19th century Illstd, T. Harris, Colonial WA furniture, page 172. Described in part, 'In 1987 this bookcase set an auction price record for a colonial WA piece of furniture at $25,000.'…

A Colonial Australian cedar secretaire bookcase with full…

Colonial Cedar Secrétaire Bookcase with Fitted Interior

A Colonial Australian cedar secretaire bookcase with full turned columns, cock-beading, flame cedar panels, full cedar fitted interior and secondary timbers, New South Wales origin, circa 1855 234 cm high, 127 cm wide,54 cm deep

Rare Australian Colonial cedar travelling bookcase, N.S.W.…

Colonial Cedar Travelling Bookcase, 1850

Rare Australian Colonial cedar travelling bookcase, N.S.W. Origin, c. 1850, with two doors enclosing a shelved interior, brass bounded, height 76 cm width 61 cm depth 38 cm. Provenance: The collection of Robert Hutchinson, Sydney, labels: illustrated K.…

Monumental Australian Colonial cedar bookcase, c. 1840, in the…

1840 Colonial Cedar Bookcase in Egyptian Revival Style

Monumental Australian Colonial cedar bookcase, c. 1840, in the Egyptian revival taste, the moulded cornice above a pair of astragal glazed doors decorated with parcel-gilt stylised flowers, and enclosing shelves, height 246 cm width 165 cm depth 54 cm.…

Australian Colonial cedar revolving bookcase, N.S.W. Origin, c.…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase by Alex W. Norton

Australian Colonial cedar revolving bookcase, N.S.W. Origin, c. 1850, three tiers, labelled 'Manufactured by Alex. W. Norton 52 & 54 Hunter Street' (A/F), height 128 cm. Provenance: The collection of Robert Hutchinson, Sydney

Lenehan (attributed) superb Colonial library bookcase, full…

Colonial Cedar Library Bookcase by Lenehan

Lenehan (attributed) superb Colonial library bookcase, full cedar construction and veneer in fine cuts of figured cedar with Lenehan's typical moulded pediment and cross banded plinth, Sydney origin, circa 1850. 273 cm high, 175 cm wide, 42 cm deep

An early Colonial bookcase, Australian cedar, Tasmanian origin,…

Tasmanian Cedar Colonial Bookcase, Circa 1840

An early Colonial bookcase, Australian cedar, Tasmanian origin, circa 1840, 203 cm high, 88 cm wide, 48 cm deep

A large Australian Colonial cedar and rose mahogany breakfront…

19th Century Colonial Bookcase for Mitchell Library

A large Australian Colonial cedar and rose mahogany breakfront bookcase for the Mitchell Library, mid 19th century, the moulded cornice above stepped frieze, having three pairs of glazed doors flanked by panelled pilasters, the lower section with…

A Colonial cedar secretaire bookcase, 19th century, with a…

19th Century Colonial Cedar Secretaire Bookcase

A Colonial cedar secretaire bookcase, 19th century, with a stepped cornice above a pair of glazed doors enclosing shelves, the projecting lower section with panelled cupboard doors, 225 cm high, 96 cm wide, 56 cm deep

A large Colonial cedar open bookcase, late 19th century, the…

Large Colonial Cedar Open Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves

A large Colonial cedar open bookcase, late 19th century, the upper section split, with four adjustable shelves to each side, the base with two shelves, 281 cm high, 295 cm wide, 51 cm deep

A Colonial cedar bookcase, mid 19th century, the glazed doors…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Glazed Doors and Cupboard

A Colonial cedar bookcase, mid 19th century, the glazed doors above a concealed frieze drawer, the lower section with panelled cupboard doors flanked by turned columns, raised on toupie feet, 217 cm high, 115 cm wide, 49 cm deep. Provenance: The Ruth…

A Colonial cedar and ebony bookcase in the style of Samuel…

Colonial Cedar and Ebony Bookcase with Chest Base

A Colonial cedar and ebony bookcase in the style of Samuel Pepys, early 19th century, with glazed doors and four fixed shelves, on a chest base with a pair of ebony strung drawers on turned legs, 220 cm high, 145 cm wide, 59 cm deep

A Gothic revival Colonial bookcase, Australian cedar, Tasmanian…

Tasmanian Gothic Revival Bookcase

A Gothic revival Colonial bookcase, Australian cedar, Tasmanian origin, mid 19th century, 214 cm high, 126 cm wide, 45 cm deep

Colonial cedar elevated bookcase with 2 glazed doors above 2…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Glazed and Timber Doors

Colonial cedar elevated bookcase with 2 glazed doors above 2 drawers and 2 timber panel doors, 136 cm wide, 62 cm deep, 207 cm high, divides into 2 parts for removal

An impressive large colonial mottled kauri bookcase cabinet,…

Colonial Kauri Bookcase Cabinet with Carved Corbels

An impressive large colonial mottled kauri bookcase cabinet, curved pediment, carved corbels, three shelves behind glazed doors, the base with two half frieze drawers over shield paneled doors, carved corbels to each side, raised on plinth base, minor…

A Colonial cedar bookcase, Australian, circa 1850, 190 cm high,…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase, Australian, 1850

A Colonial cedar bookcase, Australian, circa 1850, 190 cm high, 143 cm wide, 52.5 cm deep

A Colonial huon pine open bookcase, the simple angled cornice…

Colonial Huon Pine Open Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves

A Colonial huon pine open bookcase, the simple angled cornice above six adjustable shelves, on turned legs, mid 19th century, height 207 cm, width 154 cm, depth 36 cm

Early Colonial cedar desk with original blind bookcase top on…

Colonial Cedar Desk with Blind Bookcase Top

Early Colonial cedar desk with original blind bookcase top on turned legs with three drawers to front. Provenance: From Carlton House, Joseph Steele the first Settler in Carlton river area Tasmania, 180 cm high, 160 cm wide, 88 cm deep,

Colonial Penang 2 height display / bookcase with ornately…

Ornate Colonial Penang Display Bookcase with Glazed Doors

Colonial Penang 2 height display / bookcase with ornately carved features, fitted with 4 glazed doors and 2 drawers, 109 cm wide, 48 cm deep, 212 cm high, divides into 2 parts for removal

Late 19th century New Zealand Colonial kauri cabinet bookcase…

Colonial Kauri Cabinet Bookcase with Glazed Doors

Late 19th century New Zealand Colonial kauri cabinet bookcase top the burr totara cornice with four breakfront sections, acanthus mouldings beneath, adjustable shelving enclosed by four arched and glazed panel doors (one pane cracked), 149 cm high, 246 cm…

Colonial cedar 4 door multi pane glass door bookcase, 198 cm…

Colonial Cedar Multi-Pane Glass Door Bookcase

Colonial cedar 4 door multi pane glass door bookcase, 198 cm high, 122 cm wide, 35.5 cm deep

19th century Australian Colonial cedar glazed bookcase

Colonial Cedar Glazed Bookcase

19th century Australian Colonial cedar glazed bookcase

Colonial cedar elevated bookcase with glazed doors opening to…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Glazed Doors and Adjustable Shelves

Colonial cedar elevated bookcase with glazed doors opening to adjustable shelves above a drawer and two solid panel doors, divides into 3 parts for removal, 130 cm wide, 49 cm deep, 212 cm high

A George III style mahogany bookcase, by Colonial Heritage. The…

Colonial Heritage Mahogany Bookcase with Pediment and Bust

A George III style mahogany bookcase, by Colonial Heritage. The architectural pediment centered by a bust of a maiden, with astragal glazed doors below, the lower section fitted with panelled doors, on plinth base. Bearing a paper label. Width 126 cm.

19th century Colonial Baltic pine and cedar two door glazed…

Colonial Pine & Cedar Glazed Bookcase

19th century Colonial Baltic pine and cedar two door glazed bookcase

Early Colonial cedar bookcase with decorative casuarina and…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Secretaire and Drawers

Early Colonial cedar bookcase with decorative casuarina and knulling and centre secretaire flanked by two deep drawers with cupboards below, 256 cm high, 126.5 cm wide, 57 cm deep

Colonial waterfall front bookshelf, cedar, South Australian…

19th Century Cedar Waterfall Bookshelf from South Australia

Colonial waterfall front bookshelf, cedar, South Australian origin, 19th century, 172 cm high, 99 cm wide, 33 cm deep

A primitive Colonial bookshelf, Australian cedar, South…

19th Century Australian Cedar Colonial Bookshelf

A primitive Colonial bookshelf, Australian cedar, South Australian origin, 19th century, 101 cm high, 66 cm wide, 21 cm deep

A fine Colonial secretaire bookcase with turned columns and…

Colonial Secrétaire Bookcase with Satinwood Interior Drawers

A fine Colonial secretaire bookcase with turned columns and cross-banded edging, N.S.W. circa 1840, interior fitted with satinwood fronted drawers and compartments, 229 cm high, 112 cm wide, 57 cm deep

Colonial cedar bookcase with glazed doors and four adjustable…

Cedar Bookcase with Glazed Doors and Adjustable Shelves

Colonial cedar bookcase with glazed doors and four adjustable shelves

Colonial cedar Secretary bookcase, height 225 cm, width 115 cm…

Colonial Cedar Secretary Bookcase - 225x115x50cm

Colonial cedar Secretary bookcase, height 225 cm, width 115 cm depth 50 cm

19th century Colonial cedar bookcase with three upper glazed…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Glazed Doors

19th century Colonial cedar bookcase with three upper glazed doors to the top section with adjustable interior shelving

19th century Australian Colonial cedar cylinder top secretaire…

Colonial Cedar Secretaire Bookcase with Glazed Doors

19th century Australian Colonial cedar cylinder top secretaire bookcase with glazed doors to the upper section

Early Australian cedar open bookcase of tall proportions, circa…

Tall 1850 Australian Cedar Bookcase

Early Australian cedar open bookcase of tall proportions, circa 1850, scarce colonial collectors piece, 255 cm high, 160.5 cm long, 39 cm deep

A good New Zealand colonial carved rimu whatnot bookcase with…

Carved Rimu Bookcase with Provenance

A good New Zealand colonial carved rimu whatnot bookcase with provenance, the carved top with a pair of exotic birds above the sectional tiered vertical display shelves with carved framing above four open shelves with carved edge and turned supports. The…

Colonial breakfront bookcase, circa 1845, constructed of pit…

1845 Colonial Red Gum Breakfront Bookcase

Colonial breakfront bookcase, circa 1845, constructed of pit saw cut river red gum, four door panelled base, with petitie height drawers flanked by trefoil turned columns., rising to a four glazed door top, each door flanked by trefoil turned columns,…

Australian Colonial cedar hanging shelves, mid-19th century,…

Colonial Cedar Hanging Shelves with Carved Supports

Australian Colonial cedar hanging shelves, mid-19th century, with three adjustable shelves and carved side supports, height 112 cm width 113 depth 21 cm. Provenance: Warwick Oakman Antiques, Hobart. Collection of George and Adisa Pompei, Sydney

Australian Colonial cedar bookcase c.1880's and later the top…

Antique Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Cupboard Base

Australian Colonial cedar bookcase c.1880's and later the top with open adjustable shelves over lower four door cupboard base height 238 cm, width 190 cm, depth 30 cm

A colonial mottled kauri bookcase bureau, glazed top with…

Colonial Kauri Bookcase Bureau with Drop Front Desk

A colonial mottled kauri bookcase bureau, glazed top with restrained pediment over drop front desk, the interior with traditional pigeon holes, the knee-hole front with a small drawer and cupboard to each side, on plinth base. 129 cm x 49 cm x 223 cm

The Humphrey Gray Secretaire Bookcase, rare and important…

Humphrey Gray Secretaire Bookcase, Australian Colonial Cedar, 1835

The Humphrey Gray Secretaire Bookcase, rare and important Australian Colonial Cedar, Tasmanian origin, circa 1835, 232 cm high, 124 cm wide, 58 cm deep. Provenance: Orginally made for wealthy free settler Humphrey Gray (1784-1868) who emergrated to Van…

Australian Colonial cedar Germanic bookcase with glazed doors…

Germanic Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Glazed Doors

Australian Colonial cedar Germanic bookcase with glazed doors to the top section

Colonial cedar elevated bookcase, 116 cm wide, 52 cm deep, 216…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase - Elevated Design

Colonial cedar elevated bookcase, 116 cm wide, 52 cm deep, 216 cm high

A Colonial cedar glazed bookcase, c.1880, arch applied panels…

Colonial Cedar Glazed Bookcase, c.1880

A Colonial cedar glazed bookcase, c.1880, arch applied panels to the base with an overall good original plum coloured finish, 185 x 110 x 47 cm

A colonial kauri bookcase chiffonier, the tall top with two…

Colonial Kauri Bookcase Chiffonier with Glazed Doors

A colonial kauri bookcase chiffonier, the tall top with two arched glazed doors, stepped ogee pediment, carved corbel supports, four adjustable shelves with tooled leather aprons, the base with two shaped frieze drawers above two panelled doors,…

Rare Australian Colonial cedar glazed bookcase of narrow…

Narrow Cedar Glazed Bookcase from Australian Colonial Era

Rare Australian Colonial cedar glazed bookcase of narrow proportions

Important Colonial cedar secretaire bookcase with fitted…

Colonial Cedar Secretaire Bookcase with Fitted Interior

Important Colonial cedar secretaire bookcase with fitted interior and secret drawer, makers label to the rear: H. Ronde Rundle Street Adelaide

Australian Colonial cedar bookcase with original glass panels…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Glass Panels & Shield Shapes

Australian Colonial cedar bookcase with original glass panels to the upper doors, shield shaped panels below

Colonial solid mottled kauri bookcase the upper section with…

Mottled Kauri Bookcase with Glazed Doors and Drawers

Colonial solid mottled kauri bookcase the upper section with glazed panelled doors the lower section with two frieze drawers above panelled cupboards raised on a platform base. Height 216 cm. Width 114 cm

An outstanding 19th century Australian colonial cedar cylinder…

19th Century Cedar Bookcase with Cylinder Front

An outstanding 19th century Australian colonial cedar cylinder front bookcase, with moulded cornice above a pair of glazed doors, the lower section with a cylinder front enclosing a Huon pine interior, above a pair of panel doors flanked by corbels

Colonial cedar glass fronted bookcase. Adjustable shelves. One…

Cedar Glass Bookcase with Drawer

Colonial cedar glass fronted bookcase. Adjustable shelves. One drawer under. Height 195 cm. Width 116 cm. Depth 48 cm

A 19th century Australian colonial cedar bookcase, with a…

Australian Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Secretaire Drawer

A 19th century Australian colonial cedar bookcase, with a shaped cornice, above a pair of glazed doors flanked by corbels, the lower section with a secretaire drawer flanked by corbels, above a pair of panel doors supported on a plinth. 233 cm high, 128…

Australin colonial cedar bookcase early two door cedar bookcase…

Victorian Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Glass Doors

Australin colonial cedar bookcase early two door cedar bookcase measuring approximately 101 x 2,200 cm. Two glass doors opening to shelving with original support. Said to be of Victorian manufacture.

Tasmanian Colonial cedar bookcase in the Sheraton style, c1835.…

Tasmanian Cedar Bookcase, Sheraton Style, c1835

Tasmanian Colonial cedar bookcase in the Sheraton style, c1835. Finely crafted in full cedar with 4 astrigal glazed doors & adjustable shelves. Height 251 cm, width 130 cm, depth 40 cm. Provenance: The Estate of the late Christopher Pearson, Adelaide

Colonial cedar bookcase comprising 3 upper doors and 3 lower…

Cedar Colonial Bookcase, c1870

Colonial cedar bookcase comprising 3 upper doors and 3 lower doors all panelled in solid cedar, c1870. Height 243 cm, width 204 cm, depth 54 cm. Provenance: The Estate of the late Christopher Pearson, Adelaide

A magnificent Australian Colonial barrister's bookcase in cedar,…

Cedar Barrister's Bookcase with Sliding Glazed Doors

A magnificent Australian Colonial barrister's bookcase in cedar, three sliding glazed doors to the top section with three panel doors to the base

Colonial cedar four tier bookcase with turned supports

Four-Tier Cedar Bookcase with Turned Supports

Colonial cedar four tier bookcase with turned supports

Colonial birds eye huon pine glass top bookcase with rolled…

Colonial Huon Pine Bookcase with Glass Top

Colonial birds eye huon pine glass top bookcase with rolled drawer front flat pilasters and carved capitals. Huon pine secondaries, 225 cm high, 135 wide x 51 cm deep. Provenance: Property of Reverend Harlan Delbridge and Dr Dorothy Delbridge (Tasmania's…

An Australian Colonial cedar side cabinet with a pair of panel…

Australian Cedar Side Cabinet with Bookcase Top

An Australian Colonial cedar side cabinet with a pair of panel doors enclosing shelves, with an associated bookcase top. Cabinet height 97 cm. Width 106 cm.

An Australian Colonial cedar bookcase top with a pair of…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Astragal Glazed Doors

An Australian Colonial cedar bookcase top with a pair of astragal glazed doors enclosing adjustable shelves. Height 125 cm. Width 110 cm.

A good New Zealand colonial solid and veneered mottled kauri…

Colonial Kauri Bookcase Secrétaire with Gothic Arch Detail

A good New Zealand colonial solid and veneered mottled kauri bookcase secretaire, the tall cabinet back of two glazed doors, each with two long Gothic arch topped detail, original glass, enclosing four original adjustable shelves, flared stepped pediment,…

Narrow colonial cedar and pine bookcase with stylised face…

Colonial Cedar and Pine Bookcase with Face Corbels

Narrow colonial cedar and pine bookcase with stylised face corbels on upper doors and original glass

A 19th century Australian colonial cedar bookcase, the stepped…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Provenance

A 19th century Australian colonial cedar bookcase, the stepped cornice above two arch panelled glazed doors, the projecting lower section with two ogee frieze drawers and two further conforming panelled doors, plinth base. Provenance: original furnishing…

An important 19th century Australian colonial cedar lawyer’s…

Colonial Cedar Lawyer's Bookcase with Corinthian Columns

An important 19th century Australian colonial cedar lawyer’s bookcase, the moulded cornice, above a pair frosted glazed doors with incised decoration flanked by Corinthian columns, the lower section with carved anthemion decoration, above a pair of arched…

An Australian Colonial cedar bookcase, with stepped cornice…

Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Arched Glass Doors

An Australian Colonial cedar bookcase, with stepped cornice above the two arched glazed doors, enclosing cedar adjustable shelves, set upon two deep set drawers on shaped bracket base 123 cm width x 53 cm depth x 210 cm high