A George III mahogany breakfront secretaire bookcase, circa 1770

of architectural form, the astragal glazed cupboard doors opening to reveal three adjustable shelves, with conforming flanking cupboards each with five adjustable shelves, the lower section with a fall front secretaire opening to reveal a fitted interior with a central cupboard enclosing three short drawers flanked by one long drawer and four short drawers to either side, above two cupboard doors enclosing one adjustable shelf flanked on each side by six short drawers

A fine piece with good colour and scale and in reasonable conserved condition. Overall the surface with old marks, chips and scratches consentient with age and use, the top of the lower section with some water marks. There is a patch repair to the upper left corner of middle section. There is a fillet repair towards the rear of the right return of the middle section and an age crack below it to the return of the lower section. The right return of break front with a fillet repair, notable from the uneven colour, which is a result of historic degradation around the door hinges. Some small sections of veneer have been replaced, notably around the drawers, and there are minor chips and loses to carved detail in places, notably to the fluted frieze of the lower sections and a corner of the pediment. The handles and locks throughout apparently original though the leather lining to the sectretaire is later.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A bookcase of similar form and quality was in the collection of Richard Mellon-Scaif, sold Christie's New York, 30 June 2015, lot 35 ($102,500). Possible attributions to Thomas Chippendale, Mayhew and Ince and William Vile are mooted although the maker of both the present lot and the Mellon-Scaif bookcase remains a mystery. What is clear that is the quality of timbers employed and the supreme calibre of the craftsmanship, all of which point to a London cabinet-maker of some renown.