A George III mahogany breakfront library bookcase circa 1770

the moulded dentilled breakfront cornice with triangular broken pediment centred by a central rectangular pedestal with moulded cornice, above a pair of astragal-glazed doors enclosing four adjustable mahogany-fronted shelves flanked by two further doors with corresponding glazing and each with three shelves, the moulded waist above a breakfront lower section with two tiers of four drawers with original lacquered-brass handles, flanked by a pair of rectangular panelled doors with fielded panels enclosing a plain interior, one with one mahogany-fronted adjustable shelf, the other with two mahogany-fronted adjustable shelves, on a moulded plinth base, the handles apparently original, two keys, the cornice moulding to the plinth in the pediment replaced

The Property of a Gentleman, Christie's, London, 28th June 1979, lot 131;
With Norman Adams, 1981;
Christie’s London, ‘50 Years of Collecting: The Decorative Arts of Georgian England’, 14th May 2003, lot 160 (£111,650).

C. Claxton Stevens and S. Whittington, 18th Century English Furniture, The Norman Adams Collection, Woodbridge, rev. ed., 1985, p. 190.;
T.R. Crom, An Eighteenth Century English Brass Hardware Catalogue, 1994, p. 36, no. 256

This grand bookcase is in overall good condition with beautifully flamed figured veneers. The moulding to the central pedestal has a small chip and six dentils are missing from the frieze. There are marks, scratches and bruising consistent with age and use, notably around the lock areas. Shrinkage crack to lower section of left side .The brass handles apparently original.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This very well-proportioned bookcase follows closely the designs published by Thomas Chippendale in his Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, pl. LXIII and LXII (1762). With its fine figured mahogany veneers, it differs from plate LXII in the lower section, where the position of the drawers and panelled doors has been reversed. The upper glazed section, so similar to plate LXIII, does not follow the Director’s design in the missing diamond motifs in the intersection of the astragals. The pineapple swaged handles are regular features in Chippendale period furniture and its pattern shows up in a Birmingham catalogue of hardware.