Furniture for the Library

Continuing on from the theme in our latest newsletter, in this blog we shall take a look at the various items of library furniture amongst our current stock. Library furniture, and in particular library tables, are a particular strength of our collection and so we will not attempt to describe every piece in depth again here-our website cataloguing will be linked for this purpose. Instead, we will highlight a few particularly favoured pieces in each category as well as our new acquisitions. As such, the post will be broken down by category and then, within each category, somewhat chronologically in order to make this as easy to follow as possible.

We begin with library bookcases. One of our recent blogs on bookcases will help with more context on our full range of bookcases:

Furniture for Books Blog

But in this piece we are concentrating purely on larger pieces, ideal for someone looking to furnish a space for use as a library or home office. These large pieces, typically of breakfront design, are usually described as “library bookcases” and we have two fine examples in stock, both attributed to the fine firm Gillows of Lancaster and London.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-large-and-impressive-late-regency-six-door-mahogany-bookcase-attributed-to-gillows/

Made c.1815-20, this bookcase is part of a series of furniture designs which, through the work of academics such as Dr Susan Stuart and Dr David Jones, are now associated both with the Gillows firm and also the various generations of architects and designers in the Wyatt dynasty. With its triple breakfront outline and large and important size, this piece is imposing and, in the hands of an average maker, could be unwieldy and unattractive. The designer of this piece, whether Wyatt or not as this attribution is speculative, has softened the design considerably, the use of classical columns with leaf carved capitals throughout the piece giving it additional visual interest and, obviously, an architectural edge. The piece relates very closely to a Gillows design for a bookcase at Glasserton House in Scotland, dated 1819, and the timber used throughout is of magnificent figure and fine colour. A truly exceptional piece.

Made in the William IV period, we have a smaller breakfront bookcase with the added bonus of a central writing or secretaire drawer, also attributed to Gillows c.1835

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-fine-early-william-iv-mahogany-breakfront-bookcase-firmly-attributed-gillows-of-lancaster/

This lovely piece makes greater use of carved detailing without sacrificing the glorious timber as used on the previous example. The piece has a carved central pediment and is of smaller size, whilst still of true library bookcase size and proportions. The astragal glazing bars are a fine and interesting pattern for greater visual interest and this piece would elevate any important interior.

Next, we come to related cabinet furniture but of a very different size and scale. In our current collection we have an interesting library table cabinet or collectors’ cabinet.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-victorian-library-cabinet/

This lovely piece of furniture has an inverted breakfront outline with carved pilasters flanking a series of four deep drawers and concealing two banks of smaller drawers at the same time. This cabinet, with its cedar lined drawers, was likely used for keeping botanical specimens or other collectible items of the time, and would have been located in a library or study. The present example is unusually highly finished with particularly fine carving throughout. The use of gilt tooled Morocco leather for the drawer fronts is highly unusual and suggests an attempt to coordinate with the fine leather bookbindings which would have been on display in the library for which this fine piece was first made. It is a real tour de force and we are delighted to be able to offer it to our clients.

Also frequently found in the libraries of the finest houses in the 19th century were miniature post boxes, used to collect all of the post in the house before it was delivered to the Royal Mail for the next stage of its journey. In larger houses there might be multiple examples of these boxes (see the National Trust collections website for examples of houses with multiple letter boxes such as Calke Abbey, Cragside and Attingham amongst others) found in the interior but the most usual places to find them seem to have been the entrance hall and the library based on surviving images of pieces in situ. We have two examples in our stock, one a design based on the famous Penfold post box design, now seen by many enthusiasts as the finest of all the Royal Mail designs but remarkably rare as a true pillar posting box with only around 150 surviving, along with some modern replicas.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-victorian-english-oak-6-sided-country-house-letter-box/

Our piece was made c.1872. The Penfold box was introduced in 1866 and in 1872 the famous luxury goods firm of Thornhill and Co. of Bond Street introduced model letter boxes of this model in 1872 and our piece may well have been retailed by that great dealership. Another Penfold box of similar size and quality may be seen in situ at Wallington in Northumberland, part of the National Trust

https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/582728

Our other letter box or posting box is of particularly large size and highly unusual. 

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-most-unusual-victorian-brass-private-posting-box/

Of cast brass and set on to a cast iron base, this piece has two boxes in one, one for London deliveries and the other for country post, suggesting that the piece was more than likely produced for a London institution such as one of the Pall Mall gentleman’s clubs. All antique letter boxes have something of a collectible status but this piece is highly unusual. We have not seen another example as of yet and its size and quality of manufacture mean that it would have been a very expensive purchase at the time. Something to elevate any modern day library interior.

Continuing with library decoration, we have a lovely 30” library globe by W & A. K. Johnston which is one of our new acquisitions. 

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-large-30-inch-w-a-k-johnston-library-globe/

We wrote a blog post on globes more generally recently so will not attempt to describe all of our very large holdings in that area here-they can all be seen on our website. The new example, however, dates to c.1900 and is supported by its original pitch pine stand for use on a library table. It retains its original brass meridian ring, often lost. Library globes are highly sought-after, especially by such a fine and important maker and in lovely original condition, and we are very pleased to have been able to add this to our collection.

Some of the most distinctive of all library furniture must be library steps, designed to allow the owner to reach books high up in their fine library bookcases. The most sought-after examples today are folding pole ladders, designed, as one might expect, to fold away in to a single pole when not in use, thus saving space. We have two examples of this sort of ladder in stock, one of them a Georgian example-something which is particularly rare.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-fine-george-iii-mahogany-pole-ladder/

Made circa 1800, this fine ladder is of the best quality mahogany with seven peg jointed rungs all mounted with brass fittings for security and decorative effect. This is a very superior example that would look at home in the most luxurious of libraries.

We also have a fine Victorian walnut pole ladder also mounted with brass and made c.1880 in the Georgian manner. This piece has six rungs and is consequently a little shorter in height. A very attractive and useful example

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/folding-walnut-library-pole-ladder/

Even more iconic than pole ladders are metamorphic library step chairs. Looking at first glance like a conventional armchair, these pieces fold in the middle, becoming short sets of library steps. Widely reproduced today, original examples are keenly collected and we have a particularly nice example in stock

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-set-of-regency-mahogany-metamorphic-library-steps/

The piece dates from the later regency period and the shape of the back anticipates the balloon back, associated with William IV and early Victorian dining chairs, whilst the anthemion motifs are pure regency. A beautiful piece.

This links conveniently to library chair designs. Library armchairs are an essential part of any true library scheme, comfortable overscale armchairs, often with leather upholstery, that are perfect for that long relaxing reading session. We have a number of fine examples in stock.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-regency-mahogany-library-reading-chair/

and 

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-regency-mahogany-library-chair/

Both are regency examples in mahogany, the first the additional feature of a reading slope attached to one of the arms. Often these slopes are replaced but this one is both detachable and original to the piece, making it a true rarity.

Moving in to the George IV period, we have a bergere library chair

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/george-iv-mahogany-library-chair/

This fine piece has a lyre shaped frame, redolent once again of the work of Gillows, and is of fine quality and large scale.

Another variation on this theme, of slightly later date, can be seen in this example

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-william-lv-shaped-mahogany-library-chair/

This fine chair is of lovely faded colour and again uses the lyre frame design.

Next we have a fine and documentary pair of library armchairs by George Minter of Soho, dated under the upholstery 1832

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-pair-of-william-iv-adjustable-mahogany-library-armchairs-by-george-minter/

Our research uncovered several references to Minter and his patent chairs, with folding foot supports, and we would be delighted to share this research with any interested parties.

Another popular form of bergere library chair is the “tub” chair and we have a lovely mid Victorian example shown here

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/mid-victorian-mahogany-shaped-berjere-library-chair/

The piece has a caned seat with loose leather squab cushion and is very comfortable and stylish.

Another variation on the tub chair with additional carved refinements can be seen here

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-victorian-blue-leather-oak-library-chair/

This lovely chair stands beautifully due to its fine proportions and would enhance any library.

Finally we have a pair of late Victorian Gainsborough armchairs in the George II taste, made c.1890.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-large-pair-of-irish-mahogany-library-armchairs-in-the-georgian-style/

These are exact copies of one of the most sought-after designs of the time, an example of which is illustrated in the Dictionary of English Furniture, the Bible of furniture collectors for much of the 20th century. Furniture of this sort was referred to as “lion mask” furniture by the furniture historian R. W. Symonds and this sort of highly carved decoration was seen as the height of elegance and technical achievement. These chairs were likely made by one of the great antique dealers of the period to complement an antique original or to fit in to the homes of those who collected such pieces. They would originally have been designed for use in a very grand library and these examples would certainly perform admirably in that role today.

Our final category of pieces brings together the various library tables that we have in stock, ranging from regency pieces to the late Victorian and in all shapes and sizes. It is no exaggeration to say that we have a representative example for everyone within that time frame in stock at the moment. We are truly blessed to have such a fine variety of pieces available for sale.

Beginning with the regency period, we have a very fine library table with rectangular end supports, made c.1810

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-regency-mahogany-end-support-library-table/

Similar to known Gillows designs, the central stretcher on the piece also has notable similarities with the work of the London maker James Newton, one of the most interesting of makers from this time. Whoever the maker was, however, the quality of the piece is unmistakable. This is a truly world class table and a fine example of this particular kind of restrained and elegant library piece.

Of exceptionally large size and with six drawers in the frieze, our next example is a particularly fine and unusual design, stamped by Gillows

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-regency-rosewood-six-drawer-library-table-by-gillows/

The locks are stamped with the Gillows name, revealing the authorship of the piece, and it is a design which has plenty of decorative interest as well as being inherently practical and useful. A lovely piece of furniture.

Our next example is one of the very finest in our collection and our research has shown that it is linked in design terms to the work of Thomas Hope and to examples recorded at Beechwood Park and to Malahide in Ireland.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/an-important-regency-period-library-table-made-after-designs-by-thomas-hope/

Of oak and inlaid in ebony, this is a highly sophisticated design which could only have been executed for a very wealthy connoisseur patron at the beginning of the 19th century. Please see our full cataloguing for more details relating to this remarkable table.

Of a similar date and also of outstanding quality is this pollard oak example which was acquired by the previous owner from the top dealer Michael Hughes of the Fulham Road, London

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-fine-and-important-regency-pollard-oak-and-ebony-centre-table-relating-to-designs-by-thomas-hope/

Also related to Thomas Hope’s designs but relying more on exquisite veneers than on the ebony inlay seen on the previous example, this is a beautiful piece that can only have been executed by one of the very best makers of the period. Exquisite.

We are particularly interested in the work of Morel and Seddon, as documented by their work for King George IV at Windsor and Buckingham Palace and have a series of library tables which are almost certainly the products of their workshop.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/amboyna-and-gilt-library-table-attributed-to-morel-and-seddon/

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-regency-amboyna-and-gilt-library-table-attributed-to-seddon-and-morel-2/

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-regency-amboyna-and-gilt-library-table-attributed-to-seddon-and-morel/

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/regency-amboyna-and-parcel-gilt-end-support-library-table/

All of these tables are exquisite examples in their own right but the first table is particularly interesting having, as it does, an inscription recording its presence in the collection of the Dukes of Rutland. An almost identical piece is now in the entrance hall at Buckingham Palace and this piece, and the three related designs in our collection, are all worthy of similarly elevated interiors. The combination of amboyna veneers with parcel gilt highlights was the height of sophisticated taste at the time and was a favourite choice of the King and his circle. They are equally desirable today and are particularly versatile as the relatively light timber lends itself to use in both modern and contemporary libraries. They are also perfect as writing tables.

Moving in to the later regency period, we have a fine gonzalo alves library or writing table in our collection.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/regency-free-standing-gonzalo-alves-writing-table-or-library-table/

The boldly carved base contrasts beautifully with the finely veneered top and frieze, making full use of the exotic timber employed, and this fine table has beautiful star form handles as well. Of a quality associated with the likes of William Trotter of Edinburgh or Gillows in England, this is a lovely piece of furniture.

Of the same period, we have a lovely carved rosewood library table, stamped by the antique dealer James Winter of Soho who likely retailed it in the later 19th century

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-late-regency-rosewood-free-standing-library-table-by-james-winter/

With its inset leather top and finely carved detailing, this is a lovely example of a table from this period.

We now come to one of our latest acquisitions, an extremely fine Anglo-Chinese drum library table made in teak

This fine quality late regency period drum table has eight drawers in the frieze, retaining their original gilt brass knobs, and is of a sort known as a rent table but also frequently used as a library table at the time when it was made. The table is supported on a central columnar stem with four outspreading legs. Very unusually the piece is veneered in teak rather than the more common mahogany or rosewood. This may imply an Anglo-Chinese origin for the piece as the colonial workshops were responsible for large amounts of very sophisticated teak furniture in this period.

The table is of large and important size and has attained a beautiful golden, glowing colour which is highly attractive. There are additional signs of quality visible throughout, from the fine turning of the column stem to the inlaid stringing on the legs and the particularly fine gilt brass lion’s paw castors.

Another of our documentary pieces, we come to an interesting labelled piece made by George Simson and Son of St Paul’s Churchyard, London, c.1837

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/fine-william-iv-period-rosewood-library-table-by-george-simson-and-son-of-st-pauls-churchyard-london-c-1837/

Simson’s label survives on various pieces of furniture, usually those of earlier date, and because of the rare form of the present label we can date it very precisely. The partnership of Simson and Son was in effect from 1835-1839 and our piece would appear to be the first recorded example of a Simson and Son label, something which is very interesting in itself. The table is a very interesting piece in its own right, utilising the finest of timbers and some lovely carved details. Highly interesting.

Another documentary piece from our collection is a fine early Victorian walnut library table made by John Barrow, a known Gillows journeyman.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/early-victorian-solid-walnut-library-table-made-for-gillows-by-john-barrow/

Inscribed in pencil inside the drawer, this fine table helps to shed light on the Gillows production of the period. Barrow and his known commissions are recorded in Dr Susan Stuart’s landmark two volume Gillows monograph.

A very different sort of library table, this high Victorian example, with sophisticated floral marquetry, is sure to catch the eye.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-victorian-burr-walnut-marquetry-library-table/

This wonderfully well-made piece has a disguised drawer in the frieze, showing the skill of the maker admirably, but it is the marquetry which is the defining feature of this lovely piece.

We conclude this post with a late Victorian olivewood and ormolu mounted table stamped by Gillows and dated, due to the production number, to c.1881.

https://wickantiques.co.uk/product/a-victorian-library-table-by-gillows/

This outstanding piece is very eclectic in its ornament but unwavering in its quality and visual appeal. A lovely piece.

We do hope that this post will inspire our readers to consider adding to their own libraries or incorporating library furniture into their existing collections. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can help you with any further details about any of these pieces.