A GEORGE I WALNUT SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE, CIRCA 1725

A GEORGE I WALNUT AND FEATHERBANDED SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE CIRCA 1725The fall front drawer opening to an arrangement of pigeon holes and small drawers above a velvet inset writing surface 212cm high, 109cm wide, 58cm deep Provenance: Purchased Christies; Country House sale; Picton House, June 1993 (£16,500). For a bookcase of the period of related form but not executed in as richly figured timber and without the unusual cavetto moulded drawer and fall, see Christie's, London, Important English Furniture and Tapestries, 2nd May 2002, Lot 277 (£10,755). Condition Report: Bookcase with marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Various old splits and chips. Old veneer repairs (see images). The axe head handles to the slide are later replacements. The other handles and escutcheons appear original. The lock to the fall is a later replacement and there is a small amount of inset timber and filler around it. No key is present for this lock. The locks to the doors and the upper drawer are possibly original. A key is present and operates both of these locks. The locks to the drawer are replaced. No key present, all locks are open. One of the glass panels to the doors is a later replacement and does not have the 'movement' and 'bubbling' of the original glass. Later silk applied to the back of the upper section. The velvet inset panel to the interior of the fall is an old replacement but has significant age, wear, marks, discolourations and losses. Some old ink stains to interior of fall sections. The insides of the doors with some old tack holes to the frames, presumably from where a fabric backing sat. The turned handles to the interior drawers are old replacements. One rear foot is a later replacement. Strips of later tape applied to backboards. Some evidence of old worm. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer