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The Kedleston Library Bookcases

James Gravenor (fl.1760 - 1770)

Category

Furniture

Date

circa 1765

Materials

mahogany, oak construction, glass, brass

Place of origin

Kedleston Hall

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Collection

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire

NT 108611

Summary

A set of seven mahogany bookcases, commissioned by Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale for the Library at Keddleston. Made by James Gravenor (fl.1741-1768) in circa 1765 from a design by Robert Adam (London 1728 -1792) architect and designer.The set comprising of a large breakfront bookcase, a pair of smaller breakfronts, a large pair of straight front and a pair of smaller straight front bookcases. Each identified with a gilt letter A - G.Each with a cornice with moulded top edge and leaf and dentil moulding below a broken fluted frieze, flanking a plain panel with the gilt identifying letter. With astragal glazed doors enclosing shelves and with cupboard doors below also enclosing shelves, raised on a plinth base.

Full description

The bookcases were designed by Adam and made by the Kedleston carvers and joiners, led by Gravenor. The astragal doors reflect the panel work in the ceiling and the bookcase mouldings continue around the walls of the library. The glazed doors were removed in the 1830's but thankfully stored and subsequently replaced. According to the Duchess of Northumberland the bookcases were 'filled with well chosen, entertaining and instructive, rather than curious books'. The collection is still particularly rich in works of the arts and sciences, particularly architecture, testifying to Lord Scarsdale's consuming interests.Little is known of James Gravenor other than his work at Keddleston. Here he carved columns, door cases and mirror frames for the Drawing Room and pier glasses with oak leafed frames and ornamental detail for an organ case for the Music Room. His greatest achievement is however the fine palm tree bed for the State Bedroom on the west front which he completed in 1768. The posts are carved to resemble the trunks of palms with gilt leaves. The same theme is repeated in a pair of palm tree candlestands for a dressing table, some chairs and two pier glasses in the same room and a large palm tree mirror in the Dressing Room. See: Connoisseur, July 1978, pp. 203–04 and 207 and Country Life, 2 February 1978, p. 264 and 9 February 1978.James Weedon (May 2018)

Provenance

Commissioned for the Library at Kedleston by Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale. Designed by Robert Adam and made by the Keddleston carvers and joiners led by James Gravenor in c.1765Curzon Collection acquired by gift as part of the transfer of Kedleston Hall to The National Trust in 1986.

Marks and inscriptions

label - painted - top of cabinet - gilt text - A B C D E F G (one on each of the cabinets)

Makers and roles

James Gravenor (fl.1760 - 1770), carver James Gravenor (fl.1760 - 1770), cabinetmaker Robert Adam (Kirkcaldy 1728 - London 1792), designer

References

Dictionary of British and Irish furniture makers online (1660-1840) FHS 2017

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