18th Century Georgian Mahogany Secetaire Bookcase
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Mahogany - Mahogany is a dense, close grained red-coloured timber from the West Indies and Central America. It was first imported into Europe in the the early 18th century and its use continued through the 19th century. It was popular for furniture making because of its strength, the wide boards available, the distinctive grain on some boards, termed flame mahogany and the rich warm colour of the timber when it was polished.. The "flame" was produced where a limb grew out from the trunk of the tree, and this timber was usually sliced into veneers for feature panels on doors, backs and cornices.
Some terms used to describe mahogany relate to the country from which it originally came, such as "Cuban" mahogany, "Honduras" mahogany etc. However unless the wood has been tested the names assigned are more a selling feature, rather than a true indication of the timber's origin. - Georgian - As an English stylistic period, Georgian is usually taken to cover the period from George I (1714) to the Regency of Prince George (1811-20), although the period from 1800 to 1830 is sometimes designated as the Regency period. During the Georgian period the great English cabinetmakers and designers such as Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Adam Sheraton etc., were all active.
Therefore there isn't a single 'Georgian style' as such and to say something is 'Georgian', usually means it was made between 1714 and 1830. This assumes we discount George V and George VI, both being from the 20th century.
The styles popular at the time of each reign were:
George I (1714-1727) saw out the last years of the Baroque period.
George II (1727-1760) reigned during the Rococo period.
George III (1760-1820) saw the last gasp of the Rococo, all of the early Neo-Classic 'Adam style' and most of the later neo-Classic 'Regency style'.
George IV (Prince Regent 1820-1830)encompassed the last of the 'Regency' style.
William IV's reign (1830-1837) was something of a no man's land (stylistically) and he wasn't a 'George' anyway. He covered the last glimmerings of 'Regency' and the start of the 'Victorian' style.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A George IV flame mahogany secretaire bookcase, with a moulded cornice, above a pair of astragal glazed doors, the lower section with a secretaire drawer, the fall with inset leather writing surface above graduated drawers. 218 cm high, 127 cm wide, 57 cm
A good George III mahogany secretaire bookcase, circa 1770, with step moulded pediment above astragal glazed doors, the fall front enclosing central cupboard flanked by drawers and pigeon holes, over four graduated drawers with brass drop handles raised on
Edwardian mahogany cabinet bookcase of neat proportions, adjustable shelving enclosed by astragal glazed doors, the base with long frieze drawer, cupboard below on tapering feet
Georgian mahogany bureau bookcase. Interior fitted with flame mahogany drawers and compartments with ivory handles. Cock-beaded drawers with brass handles and astragal glazed doors. Lovely proportions. 212 cm x 81 cm x 53 cm