A late George III gilt-bronze mounted mahogany library bookcase incorporating a concealed door, circa 1805-10, attributed to Marsh and Tatham after designs by Thomas Hope

UK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Auction Closed

December 10, 04:34 PM GMT

Estimate

80,000 - 120,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

THE DEVONSHIRE HOUSE BOOKCASE

A late George III gilt-bronze mounted mahogany library bookcase incorporating a concealed door, circa 1805-10, attributed to Marsh and Tatham after designs by Thomas Hope

the cornice with gadrooned gilt-metal border and rosettes above pilasters with applied anthemion motifs, the larger, central 'secret' door, with conclealed release catch, between a glazed cupboard and panelled cupboard to each side, the lower section with conforming gilt-metal decoration and with parcel-gilt and ebonised monopedia, with Bramah locks, originallywith a white marble shelf and now with a mahogany replacement, most probably fitted at the time of removal from Devonshire House to Chatsworth circa 1925

288cm. high, 446cm. wide, 36cm. deep; 9ft. 5½in., 14ft. 8in., 1ft. 4in.

Ordered by William Spencer Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire (1748-1811) in conjunction with Elizabeth, Duchess of Devonshire (1759-1824) as part of their remodelling of the Dukes Bedroom at Devonshire House, London, circa 1806;
Thence by descent at Devonshire House until its removal to Chatsworth circa 1925 where it was installed in the Day Nursery by Evelyn, Duchess of Devonshire (1870-1960). The Duchess was responsible for saving many of the fixtures at Devonshire House prior to demolition;
Thence by descent at Chatsworth until sold;
The Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement, Sotheby's, Chatsworth: The Attic Sale, 5th-7th October 2010, lot 137.

Devonshire House Inventory, 1908, p.22; 'A 9ft. 3" Empire Mahogany bookcase fitment (part of a group of further, including 3' 9in. Empire Mah. Chest of Drawers with Pediment top containing Clock with signs of the Zodiac, 5ft Gentlemans Wardrobe and Two Empire Occasional Chairs)';

Devonshire House Inventory, 1917, p.83 in Lord Hartington's Sitting Room; '9' 3" Mahogany Empire Cabinet with centre door leading to Bathroom, the upper panels enclosed by 4 glass doors & 3 panelled doors under, richly mounted in ormolu, with marble shelf in 3 parts & 4 bronze and gilt figure supports'

Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire (Chatsworth - The House, London, 2002, p.194), writes, 'The Regency cupboard in the Day Nursery was a fixture from Devonshire House, highly unsuitable for a Nursery, as George IV, a great friend of Georgiana and a constant visitor at Devonshire House, used to go through its doors to Mrs Fitzherbert in the next room there'.