A fine George III mahogany breakfront bookcase attributed to Thomas Chippendale circa 1760

the reverse of the lower section with a partial paper label ...S OF .ITCHIN (AN... ; the reverse of the upper section with a partial paper label ...ILLI...  Restored.

Overall very good restored condition; now with a dullish polish; several of the dentil moldings replaced; the gallery to the side panels possibly once fitted with downswept brackets; knop to one finial replaced and with restorations; shelves appear to be original; the right side molded edge with a replacement approximately 4 ½ inches in length; slight tearing to veneers of left front corner of projecting section along lines of construction; age cracks to side panels now with restorations including inpainting; age cracks to door panels and now with restoration, including infilling; slight rippling to doors and tearing to veneers along age cracks; central right door with a small patch to the right side edge; right side plinth with repaired breaks and patches and now slightly loose; later bracket feet at the back; patches to veneers of plinth along bottom edge and especially to right side plinth; overall with some old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Various aspects of the present bookcase are related to the designs of Thomas Chippendale, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1762.  A design dated 1759 for 'Two Bookcases' with 'Glass Doors in the upper Parts' pl. LXXXVIII, is of breakfront form with fretwork galleries to the flanking sides.  A design attributed to Chippendale from Genteel Household Furniture in the Present Taste, A Society of Upholsterers, 2^nd ed., circa 1765, pl. 52, part II, illustrates a 'Library Bookcase' of similar breakfront form with broken pediment, glazed central door flanked by glazed doors, and cupboard door without a fielded panel or carved decoration; see also 'A Bookcase in Perpsective' from the 1754 Director, pl. XI, with broken pediment, glazed, mullioned doors and plain doors to the lower section.

There are several characteristics of Chippendale's documented work found on this breakfront bookcase, including the high quality of the construction, fine timber and decorative motifs.  The plinth with projecting section centering the broken pediment is similar to one at Wilton, C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, vol. II, p. 42, fig. 66, another at Wilton, ibid., p. 44, fig. 68; was used by Chippendale in a design for Sir William Chambers's proposal for a study at Pembroke House, London, ibid., pp. 45-46, figs. 69-70, and on a cabinet attributed to Chippendale and sold in these rooms, The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gersh, October 18, 2006, lot 66.  Additionally, the back panels and underside are painted with a light red wash, often found on Chippendale's furniture.

An elaborate rosewood bookcase supplied by Chippendale to William, 5^th Earl of Dumfries at Dumfries House, Ayrshire, C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, vol. II, p. 40, fig. 63, has similar flanking quarter-veneered doors to the lower section, a feature commented upon by Gilbert, op. cit., vol. I, p. 135: 'The use of parquetry enrichments is also notable since fielded panels or applied carving were standard decorative treatments for cabinet doors at this time.'  A shaving table supplied to Ninian Home at Paxton House, Berwickshire, also has similarly quarter-veneered doors.

A similar George III mahogany breakfront bookcase cabinet was sold, American Art Association Anderson Galleries, November 4-7, 1936, The Trust Estate of Mrs. Samuel Insull, lot 945.  Of identical form, it too has dentil-molded broken pediment, fretwork galleries to the flanking sides and quarter-veneered doors to the lower section.  Another related example from Hagley Court, Bartestree, Herefordshire, was sold in these rooms, April 19-20, 2001, lot 491.