Large Victorian Carved Oak Elizabethan Revival Breakfront Bookcase by Wylie & Lochhead

A magnificent Victorian carved oak Elizabethan Revival four door inverted breakfront bookcase dating to circa 1880. With slightly domed square finals to the pediment and a moulded domed cornice carved with dragons it has four rounded glazed doors with turned and carved flanking columns above an elaborately carved stepped out base with thumb moulded edge. Superbly carved projecting figures, possibly depicting King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot, flank fielded panelled doors with carved oval cartouche and central doors carved with fruiting ivy, a symbol of fidelity.

With five original adjustable shelves to each part of the upper section (only four shown) and deep cupboards to the base each with a single shelf. Fitted with brass engraved handles, original locks and with working key. With ‘Wylie & Lochhead Limited, 45, Buchanan Street, Glasgow’ label to an inner door. This impressive bookcase is a fine example of Victorian Elizabethan Revival, and is in very good original condition. It has been gently cleaned and waxed, some fading to the surface and minor marks mainly to the plinth and pediment finals. Divides into five sections for moving.

The overall dimensions at the largest points are approximately

Width - 8ft 4in / 100in (254cm)

Depth - 22in (56cm)

Height - 110¼ in (280cm)

Divides into 5 sections for moving and the parts should be screwed together on assembly.

The internal cabinet dimensions are:

Shelves (upper sides) - 22?in wide x 10¼in deep (58cm wide x 26cm deep)

Shelves (upper centre) - 42?in wide x 8?in deep (107cm wide x 20.5cm deep)

Wylie & Lochhead

The Scottish partnership of Wylie & Lochhead was established in 1829 as a firm of general upholsterers, furnishers and funeral undertakers at 164 Trongate in Glasgow. A good reputation and skill for introducing new styles of furnishings led to early success and the firm quickly became a household name with showrooms, factories and warehouses throughout Glasgow and branches later established in Manchester and London. The firm held Royal Warrants as cabinet makers and upholsterers to not only Queen Victoria, but also the Prince of Wales, King Edward VII, King George V and King George VI and it was Wylie & Lochhead who furnished the Royal Suites for the Glasgow Internation Exhibitions in 1888, 1901, 1911 and 1938. Although often know for their Arts & Crafts designs. the Royal Suite at the 1888 exhibition featured a dining room with dark coloured ‘Scottish Baronial’ oak furniture which is now in the collection of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow.

Ref: 0661

When buying it is important appreciate antiques have long histories of daily use and as such, over time they gain minor scratches, marks, knocks, shrinkage splits, signs of old woodworm, lifts and losses to veneer, which combine with care and years of polishing to create an individual character and patina. We describe the main flaws and those that fall outside of this bracket but cannot describe each marks separately and therefore suggest you do take the time to request extra photos. We do offer a 14 day money back guarantee if you are unhappy with your purchase but cannot refund the return shipping cost. If you are not sure please do not buy without clarifying or take the view that the only way to have it as near to new as possible is to have it fully and comprehensively restored.

For delivery we use a small carrier experience in carrying antique furniture. Delivery is usually within 31 days and the carrier will make arrangements with you directly. We can provide contact details of other carriers if required.