An Unusual George III Oak & Book-Spine Mounted Wall Cupboard

SOLD
Origin: English
Period: George III
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1760-80
Width: 24.5 inches
Height: 11.5 inches
Depth: 9.75 inches (all at extremities)

The rectangular oak wall-mounted cupboard having a lockable sliding front formed from leather bound book spines with gilt lettering, to include ‘Swift’s Works’ ‘Thomson’s Seasons’, ‘Churchill’s Poems’ and ‘Poetical Tracts’, survives from George III period England.

The cupboard shows some rather attractive wear and tear with scuffing commensurate with its age, the book spines with some small losses and one with some old worm. Mechanically and structurally she is very sound with the sliding mechanism working and the lock and key both present and original to the piece. The sides and top are of a good colour.

The volumes included in the simulated spines help date the piece to the 1770-90 period with Swift’s Works at 1763 and Thomson’s Seasons of 1726, as does the style of lock. Using simulated books as cupboard doors was popular in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. One sees more of these as floor standing cabinets for instance bedside tables or cartonnier than wall cupboards.

Whimsically decorative and perfect for those personal mementos, keepsakes or hip flasks.
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