Bookcase
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1850
Materials
oak, wire mesh panels, deal back boards
Measurements
149 cm (H); 168 cm (W); 49.5 cm (D)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Speke Hall, Merseyside
NT 1195748.2
Summary
One of a pair of oak open bookcases, English, circa 1850. Each with a breakfront moulded cornice, the frieze carved with lion masks, sunflowers and soldiers fighting mythical creatures. The open shelves flanked by split twist turned columns with Corinthian capitals. Wire mesh doors to four shelves and raised on a breakfront plinth base with further carving to the apron.
Provenance
Probably purchased by Richard Watt V (d.1865) during his restoration and refurbishment of Speke Hall during the 1850s and 60s. Bequeathed, as a secondary devise, to the National Trust by Adelaide Watt (d.1921) in 1943. Speke was initially bequeathed to the Norris family (who built the original house during the 16th century). It was then leased to Liverpool City Council and later to the Museums Department of Merseyside County Council. The National Trust took over direct management of Speke and its contents in 1986.