Desk Antique
Many fine examples of antique bookcases
When looking for antique bookcases, domestic pieces will generally date from as far back as 1700 when case furniture began to be produced in serious quantity. Bookcases of course can be traced back as far as the late 16th century and there are some very fine examples at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library. Early examples of bookcases were usually made of oak, and tended to be plain rather than decorative. Very early books would be laid flat on the shelves, and it was only with the advent of the print industry that spines and titles would be displayed outwards.
A walnut bureau bookcase from the time of Queen Anne (1702-14) is a very fine example of an early antique bookcase. Pieces like this formed part of a revolution in furniture making in Britain, with the arrival of Huguenot craftsmen expelled from France at the end of the 17th century and these new forms of manufacture remained throughout the 18th century. The bureau bookcase was an encased set of shelves set upon a bureau or writing desk. The desk had a fold down flap with sets of drawers arranged beneath. The cabinet placed on top to hold the books had two often mirror glazed doors which helped to encourage light. These cabinets were often pedimented on top to give an architectural quality to the piece.
As the 18th century progressed, varying types of antique bookcase evolved. Much larger architectural pieces were being made for libraries and the smaller compact bureau bookcase for the drawing room. Walnut had now become very scarce and mahogany was being imported as its replacement. The bookcase was not only made to showcase books but also to showcase the art of the cabinet maker and many fine examples remain from the time of George III onwards. Door fronts were generally glazed within astragal mouldings and beading and these ornamental glazed doors could range from fairly plain to very elaborate.
One of the most impressive bookcases is the breakfront. These are large architectural pieces with broken pediments and moulded cornices, usually made from mahogany. They can be fully or half glazed with cupboards rather than bureaux underneath, usually with three or four sets of shelves, with the central set pushed forward or breaking the front of the piece.
Towards the end of the 18th century, designer decorators like Robert Adam incorporated furniture like the secretaire cabinet and secretaire bookcase into their general house design. The much lighter satinwood had become popular during this later period and Adam employed craftsmen and artists to decorate furniture with marquetry inlay or painted neoclassical motifs and garlands of flowers. Some pieces were very bright and colourful indeed.
Much Queen Anne, Georgian and Neoclassical furniture from the 18th century was revived during the Victorian era so there remains a good choice of well made, large and more compact antique bookcases in a variety of guises to choose from. These are very imposing pieces of furniture and make excellent investments for the budding antique collector, or for the general investor.
About the Author
The author, Christian Davies, is a second generation antiques dealer and owner of Christian Davies Antiques, a family based antiques business based in Preston, Lancashire. Christian has over 23 years experience in the antiques business and has a passion for genuine, high quality antiques furniture, such as antique bookcases, which he sources from the UK and Europe.
Antique Rolltop Desk
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271 Antique Superior Grade Wooten Patent Secretary Desk $250,000.00 |
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6613 Antique Wooton Extra Grade Patent Secretary Desk $50,000.00 |
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5097 Antique Extra Grade Wooton Rockefeller Style Desk $50,000.00 |
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Antique Desk Frank Furness Walnut Aesthetic Movement $45,000.00 |
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Antique Lyre shaped Secretary Desk mahogany & sycamore $39,000.00 |
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Antique Late 19th Century High End IN Wooton Desk Co $30,000.00 |
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Antique French Desk Rosewood Ormolu 19th Century $29,000.00 |
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Antique Neo-Egyptian French Empire Revival Desk $28,000.00 |
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227 Antique Wooton Extra Grade High “C” Rolltop Desk $27,500.00 |
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6275 Rare Biedermeier Style Antique Desk $19,500.00 |
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7189 Antique Burled Walnut & Bronze Mounted 2-Pc. Desk $17,500.00 |
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L-Sam-340 French desk old antique baroque style Louis Quatorze $16,989.00 |
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6682 Antique French Rosewood Bureau Plat Desk c. 1890 $15,000.00 |
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6075 Antique French Rosewood Bureau Plat Desk c. 1890 $15,000.00 |
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7234 Antique French Inlaid Lady’s Desk by Emile Gallé $15,000.00 |
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Antique WALNUT BOOKCASE CABINET DESK Eastlake American Victorian Circa 1870 $14,900.00 |
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Antique Desk Attributed to R.J. Horner with Inlay Work $14,000.00 |
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Superb Antique Biedemeier Satinwood Secretarie Writing Desk $14,000.00 |
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19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE MAHOGANY KIDNEY SHAPED DESK $12,729.32 |
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Antique Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase Black Lacquer Desk Book $12,563.39 |
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Antique 18th Century Austrian Cylinder Desk – Walnut and Ebony – Palatial $12,500.00 |
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5588 Monumental Antique 19th C. Chippendale Style Executive Desk $12,500.00 |
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Antique French Desk Napoleon III Signed Cremer Inlay $12,000.00 |
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Executive Antique Quartersawn Oak Desk, outstanding! $12,000.00 |
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Mega rare antique Verge Fusee Graham London desk watch Imperial Russian marked $12,000.00 |
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American New England Chippendale Period Ball and Claw Slant Lid Desk, Antique $11,007.15 |
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Antique Empire Style Mahogany Bureau Plat Desk $11,000.00 |
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MONUMENTAL ANTIQUE 1880s HAND CARVED OAK GRAND DESK – One of A Kind!! $10,700.00 |
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Antique English Mahogany Leather 8′ Desk Writing Table $10,500.00 |
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Antique Desk, William Wooton Victorian Style Secretary Furniture, Video! $9,999.95 |
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Koolatron KWC-4 Coca-Cola Personal 6-Can Mini Fridge $41.25 Koolatron Coca – Cola Personal Cooler / Warmer provides storage and temperature control for food and beverages. Cool or warm your food and drinks easily. The Coca-Cola Personal Cooler / Warmer looks like a small refrigerator and is perfect for the car, boat or home. It holds up to six 12-oz. cans of soda or beer. It operates on 12V DC or 110V AC with an AC adaptor. Cools food and drinks to 32 degr… |
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Coaster Rectangular Butcher Block Farm Dining Table,Solid Natural Wood Finish $133.11 This simple dining table will give your casual dining room a charming style that you will love. The smooth rectangular top has rounded edges, above pretty turned legs. Available in a Natural or lovely two tone Natural and White finish, this table will blend beautifully with your decor. Pair with the matching chairs for a stylish ensemble that you will love.Dimensions: Evans Collection Table (Coast… |