Bookcase
Mallett and Son
Category
Furniture
Date
1927
Materials
Oak, iron, glass and brass
Measurements
246.5 x 142.5 x 54 cm
Place of origin
Bath
Order this imageCollection
Dyrham, Gloucestershire
NT 452940
Summary
An oak two section library bookcase, by Mallet & Son, Bath, 1927 A copy of a late 17th century bookcase (one of a pair) purchased by the V&A in 1927. Constructed in four sections, the lower cupboard with its cornice, the two vertical halves of the upper cupboard, and finally the upper cornice. The lower cornice is carved with acanthus leaves, petals and husks above a running pattern of roses. The upper cornice has a cavetto, or concave, frieze carved with acanthus foliage above a guilloche moulding. Each of the upper cupboard units contains three adjustable shelves.
Full description
The original pair of library bookcases were made for William Blathwayt, Secretary of War 1683-1704, for the library at Dryham Park. One of the original bookcases is in The Great Hall at Dyrham (NT452939) the original to this second bookcase is in the V&A collection; museum no. W.12:1 to 11-1927. Mallett and Son, The Octagon, Bath, were commissioned to make a copy of the one purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum and supplied it to Dyrham in June 1927. This is one of the earliest type of domestic free standing bookcase to survive and the originals are very similar to those ordered by Samuel Pepys from 'Sympson, the Joyner' in 1666 for the library of his London House (now at Magdalene College, Cambridge). The design, with its strong architectural features, is geometrically based and the glazing was inspired by the sash window which was introduced in England and Holland about this time. 'Thomas (?) Sympson the Joyner' (fl. 1660 - c.1700) was a joiner (and perhaps cabinet maker) who worked at the Royal Naval Docks ard at Woolwich in London. He is remembered only because Samuel Pepys mentions his name several times in his diary. Blathwayt acquired the Dyrham estate through his marriage in 1686 to the heiress Mary Wynter. In the 1690s he rebuilt west and east fronts, to designs by the architects Samuel Hauduroy and William Talman. The fine woodwork was supplied by London joiners. Thomas Hunter, of the Angel, Piccadilly, who made the sash windows, may have supplied these bookcases.
Provenance
Made in 1927 by Mallet & Son and supplied to Dyrham Indigenous collection purchased by Ministry of Works in 1956 and given to Dyrham Park in 1961
Marks and inscriptions
Inside upper door: This bookcase was made by Mallett and Son, The Octagon, Bath, to replace the one purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum at South Kensington. June 1927. (inscription)
Makers and roles
Mallett and Son, cabinetmaker