A George III mahogany library breakfront bookcase centred below by a pedestal library writing table circa 1770, in the manner of Thomas Chippendale

with a conforming molded stepped fretted arcade ornamented cornice supporting four mahogany urns, the base carved with stiff leaves above turned socles, the frieze with fluted decoration and carved with patera, the four glazed below with geometric glazed panels with molded astragals, enclosing adjustable shelves, the lower central shelf fitted with false leather-bound book spines concealing fitted apothecaries cabinets with small drawers and shelves, some lined with baize, and fitted with numerous drug jars with manuscript labels, with a central turned stand with pulley supports, possibly for a scale, and a separate brass and steel scale with small sovereign and drug weights, the projecting lower half with fluted molding at the waist, with a door at each side with fielded panels veneered with highly figured mahogany, the re-entrant corners with carved paterae, each enclosing four drawers with gilt-brass handles on plinth supports, flanking an opening fitted with a free-standing pedestal library writing table, with a leather-lined top fitted with a rising flap at the back, above a long drawer opening to a baize-lined writing slide inset with a rising book support on a ratchet, and sliding back to reveal several small open compartments, drawers and concealed drawers, above a kneehole with an arched apron ornamented with carved swags of husks and paterae, the flanking pedestals each fitted with two drawers and supported on molded plinths, the sides with foliate cast carrying handles, the back paneled.

By repute, Dr. Harrison of York.

M. Harris and Sons, London.

Colonel Albert Pierce.

Ralph Edwards and Percy Macquoid, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1954, rev. ed., 3 vols., vol. I, p. 90, fig.30. and p. 93.

This bookcase is in overall very good condition. The colour and patination are both extremely good. Some minor old looses to carving on the finials. Some replaced panes and four currently cracked. The back of the top section now lined with fabric. Minor characteristic warping to glazed doors. The lock to the centre ones is very stiff. The left hand centre glazed door has a rather crudely cut rebate for the lock. Very minor warping to cupboard doors. The plinth has some repairs and colouring in consistent with age, wear and use. The desk is generally also in extemely good condition- colour and patina match the bookcase. The leather top is old but possibly replaced and worn scuffed and with some losses in places. There is some old bruising to the top right hand side of the edge of the desk. There has been minor restoration to the beading around the drawers. There are characteristic age cracks within the kneehole recess. There are old marks and scratches through both pieces consistent with age and use. Apothecary bottle carrier 1: Two bottles missing. The others have minor chips Carrier 2: Five bottles missing . Two associated bottles. One with a broken top. Carrier 3: Two bottles possibly original, the rest associated, some cracked and rather mismatched.
"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."

It was not uncommon during the latter half of the 18^th century for library bookcases to incorporate a hidden surface suitable for writing or examining books or maps. This was usually found within a drawer which when drawn out revealed a flat, baize-covered slide which covered small compartments and drawers, much like the pedestal writing table in the present lot. Another form commonly found was concealed by a false hinged drawer-front opening to a narrow writing surface before a bank of small drawers and pigeon-holes.

The present George III library bookcase, which incorporates a separate pedestal desk, appears to have no precedent and is possibly unique. Gentlemen's libraries at this period were furnished with book cabinets, tables, desks and chairs which were commissioned as a group from a single cabinetmaker, although in the case of major houses these were supplied in consultation with the architect responsible for the overall scheme. For example, Thomas Chippendale was obviously aware of the William Chamber's sketch for a chimney piece for the Library at Pembroke House, Whitehall, the details of which clearly influenced his design of a library table made for the same room. He also supplied a suite of three bookcases, now at Wilton, for the same room which are designed with rococo detail in the style of his Director. The principal bookcase in this suite incorporates in the lower section a secretaire, the projecting drawer being formerly fitted and supported on elaborately carved cabriole supports flanking a kneehole. This gives the impression of a separate piece of furniture, although it is immovable (See: Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, p. 148, pl. 66, p. 42).

The bookcase and pedestal library table are of exceptional mahogany of fine grain and colour, finely detailed carving and neat construction indicating a cabinetmaker of great ability. The imaginative use of the swags of husks ornamenting the apron above the kneehole is notable, as are the urns surmounting the cornice. These are a rare survival, indicating the neoclassical influence of the details of the two pieces. The table is, by itself, an individual piece of furniture finished 'in the round'. It appears to retain an old, gilt-tooled, morocco leather writing surface which, if not original, almost certainly dates from the early 19^th century. It also retains the original gilt-lacquered handles to the drawers, as do the interior drawers of the bookcase, and finely cast and chased carrying handles.

The present lot is believed to have been in the possession, probably in the late 1790s or early 1800s, of a 'Dr. Harrison of York, a physician renowned for his eccentricity' (See: Ralph Edwards and Percy Macquod, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, rev. ed., 3 vols, vol. I,  p. 93). It is certainly possible that it was owned by a doctor, the presence of the neatly made and fitted removable apothecary's cabinets indicating a medical owner. Their construction, although of good quality, and the pressed gilt-brass handles indicate that they were added to the bookcase in the late 18^th or early 19^th century, as were the hinged panels faced with false folio book spines which conceal these fittings. In gilt-tooled leather, their titles include Rapin's England, Clarendons Rebellion, Cook's Voyages, Chamber's Dictionary, State Trials and Drake's York, the latter possibly strengthening the one-time ownership of the 'eccentric' Dr. Harrison of York. None of these are dated, and were published at various dates in the 18^th century.