How are the shelves adjusted?

Most Georgian cases use a wooden ratchet system. You lift the shelf, move the loose wooden bearers to the desired notch, and lower the shelf back down. Later Victorian models often use brass tonks fittings. Small metal studs slot into parallel strips drilled into the carcase sides.

I live in an old house with very uneven floors, so will a large bookcase like this twist or lean once it is filled with heavy books?

Uneven floors can cause the doors to bind. A large carcase will settle to follow the shape of the floor beneath it, which throws the hinges out of alignment. You simply need to pack the plinth base. Use small wooden wedges slipped under the low spots before loading the shelves. Once the case sits level, the doors will swing freely.

Can they be dismantled easily?

Yes, almost all of them break down. The cornice lifts off, the upper and lower sections separate, and the base divides into three or four manageable boxes.

I need to put the bookcase in a room with a low ceiling but the central pediment on the top seems very tall, can it be removed safely?

Many pediments simply slide off. Makers understood that ceiling heights varied, so they built the architectural cresting on hidden dowels or slots. Check behind the central section. If it lifts off cleanly, wrap it carefully and store it in a dry place to keep the piece complete.

Home > Bookcases > Breakfront Bookcases > Page 12

Antique Breakfront Bookcases

← Page 12 of 12 →

Large library cabinets defined by a projecting central section, built to house substantial book collections in the grand homes of the Georgian and Victorian periods.