A fine quality early 19th Century Regency period fiddle-back mahogany Secretaire Bookcase, in the manner of Thomas Hope, having scrolled and anthemion carved cornice with central applied bronze plaque depicting classical heads. The Bookcase, with ebony framed panels throughout, having geometric glazing bars above secretaire drawer and panelled cupboard doors below, supported on bold lion''s paw feet. Further information: The tragedy and comedy masks, represented on the top of the bookcase, are possibly designed by Thomas Hope. Hope represented a series of comic and tragic masks in his book ''Household Furniture'' (pl. XXXVII), which derived from his drawings that he made during his Grand Tour between 1787 and 1795, probably in Greece or Italy. He included some of these masks in different designs in ''Household Furniture'' including the Blue John vases (pl. XIII, no.3, cat. no. 70), on cabinets and on the ends of several tables (pl. XX, no. 2-3; pl. XI, nos. 1-2). The bronzes on his own...