What is a Victorian breakfront glazed bookcase?

Originating in the 19th century, a Victorian breakfront bookcase is a piece of display furniture where the central section projects further forward than the outer wing sections, fitted with glass doors for housing books or decorative objects.

What materials were used to construct 1860s English bookcases?

Cabinetmakers typically crafted the carcass from solid timber such as pine or mahogany, veneering the exterior surfaces with decorative burr walnut and fitting hand-cut glass panes within moulded timber frames.

How can you determine if a burr walnut cabinet is authentic?

Authentic period pieces feature hand-cut dovetail joinery, period-correct brass lock plates, natural variations in the grain, and subtle hand-planing marks along the unexposed secondary timber surfaces.

How do interior designers integrate a low breakfront bookcase into a modern room?

These low-profile cabinets serve as versatile credenzas in dining spaces, hallways, or living rooms, offering a wide top surface for displaying ceramics or artwork above a warm wooden backdrop.

What is the best method for maintaining antique burr walnut furniture?

Apply a natural beeswax polish along the grain twice yearly, keeping the cabinet away from direct sunlight and radiator heat to prevent veneer movement and colour fading.

for sale €4,622 $5,017

£3,950

Yolanda Gray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2010

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Breakfront Low Bookcase

Antique Glass Front Credenza

Inlaid Walnut Display Cabinet

Id #SA1027988

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SAVE

Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Glazed Breakfront Inlaid Display Bookcase (Circa 1860)

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary:

• Item: Victorian burr walnut bookcase

• Period: Victorian

• Circa: 1860

• Provenance: England, UK

• Wood: Burr Walnut

• Width: 6ft

• Breakfront shape

• Bead moulded top

• Four glazed doors

• Original working brass locks & key

• Adjustable shelves

• Adjustable brass shelf pegs

• Original plinth base

• Fantastic colour and patination

• Original condition

• Excellent quality

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

• Free 14-day UK returns policy

This is a stunning quality English Victorian burr walnut bookcase, with a breakfront design, incorporating four glazed doors, circa 1860, in excellent original condition. The Victorian bookcase comprises a lovely “breakfront” design with a decorative figured walnut top, decorated with fine bead moulding, with a further bead moudled strip to the frieze, just above the doors. The burr-walnut bookcase comprises four working doors, which retain the original glass, hinges and original working brass lever locks with key. The glazed doors are decorated with shaped burr walnut panels, secured by fine quality beading. The doors open to reveal two shelves to each section, which can be adjusted in height, using the brass thumb shelf pegs. The Victorian burr walnut bookcase stands on a moulded breakfront plinth and retains its original backboards.

This Victorian burr walnut bookcase boasts a rich nut-brown burr walnut colour. As it boasts the original patination, it has a fantastic colour; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.

Condition Report:

This is a stunning quality English Victorian burr walnut bookcase, with a breakfront design, incorporating four glazed doors, circa 1860, in excellent original condition. The Victorian bookcase has been cleaned and French polished to a professional standard in our workshop, there the colour and patination is of an excellent standard. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, but nothing significant, considering the age of the item. The doors retain their original brass working lever locks (with a key), original brass locking pins and hinges. The Victorian bookcase stands on its original plinth and retains its original doors along with the original backboards. The shelves and brass adjustable pegs are all intact. This glazed bookcase is solid in joint and ready to use.

The price for this item is £3,950, which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

Ref. 82602

Physical Dimensions

Height

118cm (46.46")

Width

184cm (72.44")

Depth

37cm (14.57")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Burr Walnut Breakfront Bookcase to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1027988

Dealers Internal Reference

82602

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary:

• Item: Victorian burr walnut bookcase

• Period: Victorian

• Circa: 1860

• Provenance: England, UK

• Wood: Burr Walnut

• Width: 6ft

• Breakfront shape

• Bead moulded top

• Four glazed doors

• Original working brass locks & key

fig 1. An English Victorian burr walnut low breakfront bookcase featuring four glass doors with curved top arches and a plinth base. — fig 1. Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Glazed Breakfront Inlaid Display Bookcase (Circa 1860)

• Adjustable shelves

• Adjustable brass shelf pegs

• Original plinth base

• Fantastic colour and patination

• Original condition

• Excellent quality

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

• Free 14-day UK returns policy

“

This is a stunning quality English Victorian burr walnut bookcase, with a breakfront design, incorporating four glazed doors, circa 1860, in excellent original condition.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

The Victorian bookcase comprises a lovely “breakfront” design with a decorative figured walnut top, decorated with fine bead moulding, with a further bead moudled strip to the frieze, just above the doors. The burr-walnut bookcase comprises four working doors, which retain the original glass, hinges and original working brass lever locks with key. The glazed doors are decorated with shaped burr walnut panels, secured by fine quality beading. The doors open to reveal two shelves to each section, which can be adjusted in height, using the brass thumb shelf pegs. The Victorian burr walnut bookcase stands on a moulded breakfront plinth and retains its original backboards.

fig 2. An English Victorian burr walnut low breakfront bookcase featuring four glass doors with curved top arches and a plinth base. — fig 2. Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Glazed Breakfront Inlaid Display Bookcase (Circa 1860)

This Victorian burr walnut bookcase boasts a rich nut-brown burr walnut colour. As it boasts the original patination, it has a fantastic colour; this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.

fig 3. An English Victorian burr walnut low breakfront bookcase featuring four glass doors with curved top arches and a plinth base. — fig 3. Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Glazed Breakfront Inlaid Display Bookcase (Circa 1860)

Condition Report:

This is a stunning quality English Victorian burr walnut bookcase, with a breakfront design, incorporating four glazed doors, circa 1860, in excellent original condition. The Victorian bookcase has been cleaned and French polished to a professional standard in our workshop, there the colour and patination is of an excellent standard. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, but nothing significant, considering the age of the item. The doors retain their original brass working lever locks (with a key), original brass locking pins and hinges. The Victorian bookcase stands on its original plinth and retains its original doors along with the original backboards. The shelves and brass adjustable pegs are all intact. This glazed bookcase is solid in joint and ready to use.

fig 4. An English Victorian burr walnut low breakfront bookcase featuring four glass doors with curved top arches and a plinth base. — fig 4. Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Glazed Breakfront Inlaid Display Bookcase (Circa 1860)

The price for this item is £3,950, which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). *We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland; for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands.

fig 5. An English Victorian burr walnut low breakfront bookcase featuring four glass doors with curved top arches and a plinth base. — fig 5. Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Glazed Breakfront Inlaid Display Bookcase (Circa 1860)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode.

Ref. 82602