A GEORGE II MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT LIBRARY BOOKCASE

A GEORGE II MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT LIBRARY BOOKCASE
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM HALLETT OR VILE AND COBB, CIRCA 1750
The leaf and half-flowerhead projecting cornice above four doors, lettered A, B, C and D and with egg-and-dart carved mullions, enclosing mahogany-fronted shelves, above four drawers with rocaille brasses, within leaf and rosette-carved moulded borders and on a conforming plinth, the carcase with contemporary ink inscription No1 to each section, the back of the central cornice inscribed N 19 G*P, the backboards inscribed N 23 G*P, N 26 G*P and N 27 G*P, some metalwork replaced, some shelves replaced and some incorporating their original facings
99 in. (251.5 cm.) high; 152 ½ in. (387.5 cm.) wide; 17 in. (43 cm.) deep

Provenance

One of a suite of four library bookcases supplied to Sir William Beauchamp-Proctor, 1st Bt. for Langley Park, Norfolk, when he inherited the house in 1744-5.
By descent to Sir Christopher R.P. Beauchamp-Proctor until sold
Christie's, London, 10 April 1975, lots 135 (a pair, including the present lot), and 136 (the smaller pair).
A Private Collector, Glen Cove, Long Island; sold Sotheby's, New York, 21 April 1989, lots 291-294 (this bookcase lot 294).
Christopher Gibbs, London.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, New York, 14-15 April 2011, lot 480.