Untitled
Thomas Donaldson (d.1857)
Category
Furniture
Date
1812 - 1813
Materials
Mahogany, deal, oak, ebony, giltwood, gilt brass, glass, crepe, watered silk
Place of origin
Shrewsbury
Order this imageCollection
Attingham Park, Shropshire
NT 608110
Summary
Two matching mahogany, giltwood and gilt brass library bookcase, billed for by Thomas Donaldson (d. 1857), carver and gilder of Shrewsbury in 1812 and 1813. The former in the Inner Library and NT 608110.1; the latter in the West Ante-Room and NT 608110.2. Originally part of a larger set; the other range of bookcases on the South (window ) Wall of the Inner Library were sold in the auction of the contents of Attingham in 1827. The bookcase in the West Ante-Room fitted with Lever locks; the bookcase in the Inner Library with Bramah locks.
Full description
NT 608110.1 billed for (together with the other range in the Inner Library which was sold in 1827) in 1812 at £331 11s 6d. NT 608110.2 billed for in 1813. Between 1810 and 1813, Donaldson's bills for bookcases amounted to nearly £1000, including transport and installation. Donaldson also made the handsome pair of marble-topped console tables which still stand in the Picture Gallery [NT 608144] and much decorative and gilded woodwork throughout the house.
Provenance
2nd Lord Berwick Collection. Purchased by Thomas Noel Hill, 2nd Baron Berwick (1770 - 1832) in 1812 [NT 608110.1] and 1813 [NT 608110.2]. The former listed in the 1827 auction catalogue as Lot 125 and bought in four £99 15s; the latter listed as Lot 126 and bought in for £99 15s. Listed in the 1861 Inventory taken at Attingham (pp. 83 - 84), the 1913 Inventory taken there (p. 86), in the 1947 Probate Valuation as an 'heirloom' (p. 10) and in the Inventory taken c. 1953 (pp. 2 & 4). Bequeathed to the National Trust with the estate, house and partial contents of Attingham by Thomas Henry Noel-Hill, 8th Baron Berwick (1877 - 1947) and transferred to the National Trust on 15th May 1953.
Makers and roles
Thomas Donaldson (d.1857), carver Thomas Donaldson (d.1857), gilder
References
Rowell, 2015: Christopher Rowell, 'Furniture, Carving and Gilding at Attingham Park by Thomas Donaldson of Shrewsbury', in National Trust Historic Houses & Collections Annual 2015, 12 - 20