A Fine George III mahogany and satinwood secrétaire bookcase, possibly by Thomas Chippendale Circa 1775

the upper section fitted with a pair of glazed doors with geometric glazing bars and surmounted by a pierced fret-carved swan-neck broken pediment ending in fluted and beaded roundels, the projecting lower section fitted with a secretaire drawer opening to satinwood-veneered small drawers and pigeon holes above a pair of cupboard doors opening to three sliding shelves, raised on bracket feet.

Overall good condition; the upper section fitted for electricity; the underside of the lower cabinet with three later braces; a pair of cupboard doors with age cracks and with tearing to veneer over lines of construction now with some lifting and losses; the backs of the cupboard doors with later mahogany panels to correct warpage; lacking one sliding shelf; the cresting beautifully carved; the whole extremely well-made.
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.

Although it is not possible to firmly attribute this secrétaire cabinet to Thomas Chippendale, several characteristics of its design and construction strongly suggest his manufacture. Designed in Chippendale's early neo-Classical style, the bookcase features several of his trademarks: the beaded and fluted terminals to the swan's-neck pediment is a motif Chippendale used in many commissions including on a clothes press at Harewood House (Gilbert, op. cit., p. 139. fig. 249) and on four hall stools at Mersham (ibid. p. 214, fig. 390); the use of S-form keyholes is another Chippendale feature and can be seen on the same clothes press from Harewood (ibid. p. 139, fig. 249) and on the library table at Nostell Priory (ibid. p. 240-241, figs. 440, 441).  Solid mahogany timbers are found throughout, the pine shelves to the upper section are stained red and faced with mahogany, the doors below are veneered in beautiful matched flame veneers on mahogany panels and the sliding shelved made of wainscot oak and front by mahogany molded edges are all qualities associated with Chippendale.
See:
Christopher Gilbert, The Life and Works of Thomas Chippendale, New York, 1978