A fine set of three Regency gilt-brass-mounted part ebonized mahogany breakfront bookcase cabinets circa 1810

each upper section fitted with a door or pair of doors opening to adjustable shelves flanked by open adjustable shelves above a lower section fitted with doors opening to adjustable shelves.

Overall good restored condition; very good quality, most of the carcass being made of mahogany with mahogany veneers; backboards to upper and lower sections are mahogany; gilt-brass grills possibly replaced; re-finished. The largest bookcase with small repaired break to bottom molded edge of cornice above the top hinge of the right door; repaired break to inside molding to top of right side at cluster column support, and with a patch to veneer behind column; repaired break to outside molding to top of left side at cluster column support and with patch to veneer behind column; the doors with minor tears to veneers over lines of construction and with some infilled bruises; the lower section with slight lifting to gilt-brass banding of far left door with a small tear to brass; a triangular veneer patch to the edge of the far right cupboard door; far right cupboard door lacking brass keyhole; nicks, infilled bruises and inpainting to cluster columns of upper and lowr sections; the plinth with some infilled bruises, scuffs and chips especially to corners and to lower edge. One of the smaller bookcase cabinets with two small patches to the inside molded edge of the top of each side panel next to the cluster-columns; minor tears to the veneers of the door and with some infilling; left side panel with an patch approximately 2 inches by 1 1/12 inches to the lower edge and with two minor age cracks to top; the lower section with a loss to the brass keyhole of far left door; brass keyhole to far right door replaced; the plinth with infilled chips to corners and lower edge and infilled bruises and inpainted scuffs. The other smaller bookcase cabinet with a repaired chip to the veneer of the cornice above the door; old repaired breaks to the tops of the front edges of the side panels around the cluster columns wit small losses to moldings in corner and some veneers of left side and a veneer patch to the right side; cluster columns with some wear, nicks and infilled and inpainted restorations; the gilt-brass grill to the door slightly bent at the top edge; the lower section with a small cut away section approximately 1/8 inch by 1/8 inch to the top left corner of the far right door; the plinth with rectangular patch to front left corner, large triangular patch to front right side, a few small patches to bottom edge near front right corner and with a rectangular patch to front right corner and with infilled bruises and some inpainted scuffs. Overall with the usual old marks and scratches, some minor wear to edges and corners.
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.

A pair of related library cabinets was sold in these rooms, January 22, 1999, lot 108.  The present bookcases probably originally formed part of a larger suite.  There are smaller versions with paneled cupboard doors below by several makers, including one example with a card on the back from the firm of Robert Herring & Son, Upholsterers & Cabinet-Makers, No. 109 Fleet Street, London; see C. Gilbert, Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840, Leeds: W. S. Maney and Son Ltd., 1996, p. 264, fig. 491, and later sold, Sotheby's, London, November 22, 2006, lot 213.  Like the present lot, the flanking cluster-column pilasters have gilt-metal bands and long-leaf bases.  Another related example, attributed to Marsh and Tatham, was sold, Christie's, London, July 8, 1993, lot 109, and again, November 22, 2007, lot 748; see another example, Christie's, New York, Property from the Collection of the Lord and Lady White of Hull, April 30, 1997, lot 39.