Antique English George III Secretaire Bookcase, stamped W.F. ( William France ) London early 19th Century
Antique English George III Secretaire Bookcase, stamped W.F. ( William France ) London early 19th Century
This is a most important, very rare, and genuine ‘very high end’ Antique English George III circa 1810 two height Book Case with a pull out Secretaire drawer. All made to the highest standards by professional craftsman out of the finest Mahogany and exotic decorative timbers by a most significant master Cabinet maker. Between the stepped cornice and the carvetto shaped pediment is a fine dentil freeze. The two display doors have both Gothic and Romanesque glazing bars. The bottom cabinet appears to have five full width graduated and stacked drawers however top two faux drawers pull out to reveal a secretaire with a finely fitted interior. The whole is supported on straight bracket feet. The doors are feather (cross) banded and the drawers are semi crossbanded in an exotic type of Rosewood.
This piece is currently in original, aged and untouched condition however requires conservation which we can organise to the highest professional standards on your behalf. All the glass is original as are the keys.
Stamped W.F. to the interior of the top cabinet this piece fits the time line and is directly attributable to William France Jnr. (1759 - 1838). William France Snr. worked with the famous Thomas Chippendale. William France Jnr. as did his uncle (William France senior ) the Royal Warrant as Cabinetmaker, Upholsterer and Undertaker to King George III, the Prince Regent and King George IV.
His work is very tightly held, is very rarely available on the market and can be found in most notable Royal buildings such as Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace ( then Buckingham House ), Carlton House, Kensington Palace, St. James Palace and the Brighton Pavilion among other Royal establishments as well as the Military Chapel at White Hall, Hatfield House, Badminton House, Cranbourne Lodge and the Duke of Wellington’s Strathfield House.
William France Jnr. made furniture for high society clients as well as the renowned Architect and Interior Designer Robert Adam and was charged with organising and over seeing the funeral of Lord Horacio Nelson and supervising the construction of his magnificent carved sarcophagus with its 10,000 gilt nails which was so grand it was reputed to be the “finest made in all of Europe“.
This very desirable, superb quality and very rare piece of furniture is currently in untouched aged condition commensurate with its age and use having come to us from a long established historical, Colonial rural estate. It may be purchased as is at a lesser price however our price does include ‘museum’ quality conservaton to the highest standards by professional craftsmen so as to maintain the essential integrity of this important item.
Offered for sale as is and as where @ $29,985 or professionally refurbished @ $34,985.
This item with rare provenance would command a much higher price in more sophisticated and larger overseas markets such as the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
W: 115 cm H: 242 cm D: 58 cm