- 805
A Victorian cedarwood library table circa 1850
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 GBP
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Description
- 53cm. high, 151.5cm. wide, 91.5cm. deep; 1ft. 9in., 4ft. 11¾in. wide, 3ft.
the rectangular top now with three leather lined lifting panels opening to reveal wells with sliding trays opening to one side, each edge to the top with carved inscription reading ‘WHEN THOV DOST READ A BOOK DO NOT TVRN THE LEAVES ONLY BVT GATHER THE FRVIT / AVTANT VAVT CELVI AVI CHASSE ET RIEN PREND COMME LELVI QVI LIT ET RIEN N’ENTEND / NON V’E PEGGIOR LADRON D’VN CATTIVO LIBRO / LIBROS Y AMIGOS POSCOS Y BVENOS,’ the base centred by a knee hole flanked by two pedestals with folio slides and enclosing modern leather bound file boxes, each pedestal with three boxes at each side, one end mounted with cipher, the other mounted with a decorative device, supported on a moulded plinth with casters
Provenance
Supplied to Sir William Stirling for the library at Keir, Perthshire, circa 1850
Sold Christie's house sale, `The Property of Archibald Stirling of Keir', 22-24 May 1995, lot 123.
Sold Christie's house sale, `The Property of Archibald Stirling of Keir', 22-24 May 1995, lot 123.
Literature
L. Synge, Mallett Millennium, London, 1999,
fig.332, p.257.
fig.332, p.257.
Catalogue Note
The present desk formed part of a group of library furniture commissioned by Sir William Stirling, (later Sir William Stirling-Maxwell) and executed to the designs of Alfred Jenoure for the newly installed library at Keir between 1849 and 1851. This group of furniture comprised a larger circular table, two side tables, a folio cabinet, a pair of bookcases and a display cabinet. The cedarwood used for the furniture conformed to the timber employed for the room panelling which was selected for its worm resistant properties as well as its decorative qualities. Various architectural features in the library at Keir designed by Alfred Jenoure echoed carved inscriptions and mottoes on the furniture such as those on the offered desk.
The Stirling family are believed to be descendants of David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of King William the Lion (reigned 1165-1214) and have firm ancestry from Walter de Striuelying or Striveling who lived circa 1339-1393. In 1448, his son acquired Keir having exchanged land with the Laird of Leslie in Fife.
Sir William Stirling (1818-1878) who inherited Keir from Archibald, 14th of Keir (1769-1847) became an MP for Perth in 1852, holding the seat until his death, except for an interlude of six years between 1868 and 1874. It was under his tenure circa 1849 that he embarked on a scheme of considerable alterations to the house thus continuing the modest improvements carried out by his ancestors during the late 18th century. This comprised the addition of a five window bay, a porch and gateway with connecting arch to the East front of the house. In addition to this, terraces were created around the building as well as a set of new domestic offices. More relevant to the present desk, a new library was also built in place of the old hall which occasioned the commissioning of bespoke furniture including the offered lot.
Sir William Stirling inherited his maternal uncle's baronetcy in 1865 when he changed his name to Sir William Stirling-Maxwell. Having obtained a Cambridge degree in 1839 he travelled around the Lebanon, the Holy Land and Syria, returning in 1842. His travels inspired him to convert some Biblical stories into verse which he had privately printed as `Songs of the Holy Land'. It was no doubt this penchant for poetry that led to the unique inscriptions on the Keir library suite.
The Stirling family are believed to be descendants of David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of King William the Lion (reigned 1165-1214) and have firm ancestry from Walter de Striuelying or Striveling who lived circa 1339-1393. In 1448, his son acquired Keir having exchanged land with the Laird of Leslie in Fife.
Sir William Stirling (1818-1878) who inherited Keir from Archibald, 14th of Keir (1769-1847) became an MP for Perth in 1852, holding the seat until his death, except for an interlude of six years between 1868 and 1874. It was under his tenure circa 1849 that he embarked on a scheme of considerable alterations to the house thus continuing the modest improvements carried out by his ancestors during the late 18th century. This comprised the addition of a five window bay, a porch and gateway with connecting arch to the East front of the house. In addition to this, terraces were created around the building as well as a set of new domestic offices. More relevant to the present desk, a new library was also built in place of the old hall which occasioned the commissioning of bespoke furniture including the offered lot.
Sir William Stirling inherited his maternal uncle's baronetcy in 1865 when he changed his name to Sir William Stirling-Maxwell. Having obtained a Cambridge degree in 1839 he travelled around the Lebanon, the Holy Land and Syria, returning in 1842. His travels inspired him to convert some Biblical stories into verse which he had privately printed as `Songs of the Holy Land'. It was no doubt this penchant for poetry that led to the unique inscriptions on the Keir library suite.