Antique Edwardian Flame Mahogany & Inlaid Revolving Bookcase Circa 1900

This an exquisite antique revolving bookcase  attributed to the renowned Victorian retailer and manufacturer Maple & Co., circa 1900 in date.

It is made of flame mahogany , revolves on a solid cast iron base, has inlaid boxwood lines to the top and bottom. The top is centred with an elaborate shell inlaid decoration and has crossbanding and inlaid hatching around the perimiter.

The best quality Edwardian revolving bookcases had cast iron bases, as this meant that they would be sturdy and not tip when full of books, whereas the lesser versions had simple wooden bases.

The quality and attention to detail throughout is second to none.

Condition:

In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and polished in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 87 cm x Width 50 cm x Depth 50 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 10 inches x Width 1 foot, 8 inches x Depth 1 foot, 8 inches

Maple & Co

the renowned furniture retailer of London, Paris and Buenos Aires,   were famous for top quality furniture.

They were by Royal Appointment and  became one of the leading furniture manufacturers of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. They used only the finest quality timber which was imported directly from all over the world.

Maple and Company were founded in 1841 in Tottenham Court Road, London and had premises there until 1997.  By the 1880s they were the largest and most successful furniture makers in the world, their huge emporium having become a tourist attraction in its own right. In addition to their middle class clientele, they furnished Embassies, hotels, beautiful homes and palaces all over the globe, including Tsar Nicholas's Winter Palace, the Hoffburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, and many of Britain's country houses.

Flame Mahogany

Thomas Sheraton - 18th century furniture designer, once characterized mahogany as "best suited to furniture where strength is demanded as well as a wood that works up easily, has a beautiful figure and polishes so well that it is an ornament to any room in which it may be placed." Matching his words to his work, Sheraton designed much mahogany furniture. The qualities that impressed Sheraton are particularly evident in a distinctive pattern of wood called "flame mahogany."

The flame figure in the wood is revealed by slicing through the face of the branch at the point where it joins another element of the tree.

Edwardian Period (1900 - 1910)

The Edwardian era saw the beginning of a new century with a new king and a new style of interior design. The heavy, dark, cluttered look of the Victorian era was gone, and in its place, something much lighter and more cheerful.

Some of the most famous designer for this era include:

Thomas Sheraton -furniture

Louis Comfort Tiffany- lighting

René Lalique- glassware

Edwardian Style

This early 20th century style had an eclectic feel to it, and drew from elements of Georgian, Medieval and Tudor style. Light, airy, and simplicity of detail were key principles of this era.

Edwardian Furniture

Bamboo and wicker was the material of preference in Edwardian times. This added to the already delicate and breezy nature of the style. Other furniture was reproductions, drawing influence from baroque, rococo and empire style. The wing chair is a classic shape, and upholstery favoured chintz and damask in pale colours.

Edwardian Colour

Shifting away from the darkness of the Victorian interior, colours were fresh and light, with an informal feel. Patterns were feminine, with flowers and floral designs being highly favoured. Colours were predominantly pastels: blue, lilacs, greens, yellows and grays. The floral theme was complemented by the liberal use of fresh flower arrangements. Living rooms often took darker colours such as dark green for fabrics, complemented with cream walls.

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