This is an exquisite antique Edwardian inlaid flame mahogany revolving bookcase, circa 1900 in date.
It revolves on a solid cast iron base, the top has an outer banding with ebony and boxwood outline stringing lines, with a decorative inner banding.
The shelves and supporting slats were held by brass studs, and the slats and plinth base with stringing. The bookcase is sitting on a cross platform with iron bracket supports raised on brass and ceramic castors.
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 85 cm x Width 49 cm x Depth 49 cm
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 foot, 9 inches x Width
... 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 1 foot, 7 inches
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.
Our reference: A5295
Internal Reference: A5295
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1223646
Dateline of this antique is 1900
Height is 85cm (33.5inches)Width is 49cm (19.3inches)Depth is 49cm (19.3inches)
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