A George III mahogany secretaire library bookcase Circa 1760, possibly by Thomas Chippendale, or otherwise attributable to a cabinet maker operating within the contemporary circle of cabinet makers directly influenced by Chippendale The ogee and dentil moulded cornice above a pair of geometric astragal glazed panelled doors, enclosing eight short adjustable shelves, over one long central and two short end drawers, the central secretaire drawer enclosing six short mahogany lined drawers flanking two long mahogany lined drawers, with six short graduated oak lined drawers below, on shaped reverse ogee bracket feet, 145cm wide x 66cm deep x 255cm high, (57in wide x 25 1/2in deep x 100in high) Footnotes: The presence of a number of constructional characteristics on the offered lot, combined with a couple of its more notable aesthetic elements, suggest that this library bookcase was possibly made in Thomas Chippendale's workshop, circa 1760. The laminated or 'stacked' blocking evident to the bracket feet, along with the utilisation of short grain kickers and chamfered drawer stops, are all aspects typically associated with the output of Chippendale, particularly during this period. Two further aspects which relate the present secretaire bookcase to Chippendale's cabinet work of the time are the distinctive axe head drawer handles mounted to the internal drawers (which is a model that can be seen on much of Chippendale's furniture) and the geometric astragal glazing bars on the upper section. This identical fifteen-pane per door astragal pattern first appears in a 1753 design for a bookcase dating which appears in the first edition of Chippendale's seminal publication, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, pl. no. XCV. In spite of the above, it is important to note that there were a number of other firms operating during the 1750s and 1760s, and many of these had their workshops located on, or at least very close to, St. Martin's Lane in London. Among these notable cabinet makers, two contemporary business partnerships - William Vile and John Cobb (active: c.1755-1778) and William Ince and John Mayhew (active: c.1760-1800) - were arguably most influenced by Chippendale's hugely influential 'Cabinet-Maker's Director', published in three editions between 1754 and 1762. However, two further cabinet making figures who also worked together and were likewise enormously impacted by Chippendale's designs, albeit from their base in Yorkshire, were Richard Wright and Edward Elwick (active together: 1745-1771). This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP TP For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue and/or after-sale information, sent out to all buyers post-sale. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (The Packengers, Unit 9, Abbey Mead Industrial Park, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1HU, England, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue and/or after-sale information, sent out to all buyers post-sale. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 10 calendar days from the auction date. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing