A fine George III mahogany bookcase cabinet circa 1765

the lower section with a pair of cupboard doors opening to three sliding shelves.  The cresting with a partial paper label inscribed KENSINGTON, the backs of each section with chalked number DW938.  The reverse of the right cupboard door bearing a black ivorine Norman Adams label.

Norman Adams, Ltd., London

Overall good restored condition; the cresting with minor losses and repaired chips scrolled acanthus carving with some infilling and inpainting; the upper section now fitted with electric lights beneath the shelves and pierced in the back for a wire; small chips to the front right corner of the bottom molded edge of the cornice; the left side panel with three plugs; the right side panel with one plug; small repairs to the glazing bars; the lower section with slight separation to panels of doors at lines of construction at top corners; slight lifting, chips and patches to the veneers of the top edge to the sides; top edge of front right corner with age cracks and minor loss to the veneer; overall with some old marks, scratches, scuffs and bruises consistent with age and use.
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.

The present bookcase combines several decorative motifs found in Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754: the double C-scrolls and scrolled acanthus carving of the broken-pedimented cresting is similar to the design of a 'Desk & Bookcase', pl. LXXVIII, and is closely related to a bookcase which was with Maple & Co., Ltd, London, illustrated, The Antique Dealers' Fair and Exhibition, 1954, p. 56.  The gothic and Chinese style glazing bars share affinities with a design for a 'Library Bookcase', pl. LXXI, and those on a breakfront library bookcase (one of four) almost certainly supplied by Thomas Chippendale to Sir Rowland Winn for his London house, 11 St. James's Square, and now at Nostell Priory, Yorkshire; see C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, 1978, vol.II, p.41, fig. 65.  The glazing bars are also similar to those of a 'Chinese Case', pl. 106, and the glazing bars of another breakfront bookcase possibly supplied by Chippendale for Henry Hobhouse's house in Bristol, moved to Hadspen House, Castle Cary, Somerset, sold at Sotheby's house sale, Hadspen House, May 29-31, 1996, lot 24, and later, Christie's, New York, October 18, 2001, lot 300  Lastly, the use of applied carved flower-head paterae to the corners of the cupboard doors of the present lot is a motif used frequently by Chippendale and is seen in a design for a 'Desk Bookcase', pl. CVII, of the 3rd edition of the Director.