A REGENCY MAHOGANY AND CANED LIBRARY BERGÈRE, CIRCA 1820

A REGENCY MAHOGANY AND CANED LIBRARY BERGÈRE CIRCA 1820The curved back with a scrolled anthemion-carved cresting, above a loose cushion upholstered in black horsehair, with a brass articulated book rest, on sabre legs with brass caps and castors86cm high, 63cm wide, 72cm deepProvenance:William Masters (1796-1874), botanist, and founder of the Canterbury Museum William Masters (1796–1874) FHS was an English nurseryman, garden designer, and amateur botanist. Hisfather, of the same name (d. 1834), was a Canterbury nurseryman who conducted his business in the late18th century in St Dunstan’s. Masters was instrumental in setting up the Canterbury Philosophical andLiterary Institution in Guildhall Street (founded 1825), and became Hon. Curator of their museum from1823 to 1846. He wrote for specialist journals and corresponded regularly with horticulturalists andacademics throughout this life, including with the botanist Sir William Hooker, and is chiefly rememberedfor his catalogue Hortus duroverni of 1831, which comprehensively listed and classified many seeds and plants.Masters was Mayor of Canterbury between 1840-41 and his bust was placed in the city museum.

Condition
Good, structurally secure with wear and tear consistent with age and use. There are dents marks and scratches and shrinkage cracks due to age and use. Structurally secure, the cane and cushion are in good order. Castors and brass arm apparently original.