Early George III Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase
THE BOOKCASE RETAINING THE ORIGINAL HAND WRITTEN LABELS FOR DELIVERY BY CARTERS’ WAGGON TO WILLIAM RICHARDSON OF FINDON PLACE.
CIRCA 1780
Height 108” (275 cm) Width 108” (275cm) Depth at side 15” (38cm)
With its dentil broken arch pediment above four astragal glazed doors, a plain shelf with a simple moulded front leading to four rectangular panelled doors above a stepped moulding and plinth base, this piece exhibits the simplicity of English classical design of the second half of the 18th century.
As one would expect from a museum curation this piece is in excellent original condition and retains all of its mahogany fronted shelves.
Recently de-accessioned from the offices of the Brighton Pavillion Museum this handsome Country House bookcase was likely to have been gifted to the Prince Regent by William Richardson. The latter purchased Findon Place in 1786 from the executors of William Green. As a friend of William Green, the Prince became a regular visitor to Findon Place where he enjoyed the excellent shooting. A habit which one imagines continued during William Richardson’s custodianship. Interestingly, both the building of the Brighton Pavillion and the restoration of Findon Place commenced in 1787.
Provenance: William Richardson of Findon Place 1754-1801
Probably The Prince Regent later George 1V
The Brighton Pavillion Museum
Interestingly, there is a note in the Dictionary of English Furniture Makers under’ W, Cobb C.M. 1776 Samuel Reynolds took out insurance for £300 for items at W, Cobbs and William Richardson for £100’. Samuel Reynolds was John Cobb’s foreman.
