Library bookcase
Thomas Donaldson (d.1857)
Category
Furniture
Date
1812 (billed for)
Materials
Mahogany, deal, oak, giltwood, gilt brass, watered silk, ebony
Measurements
286 x 686 x 69 cm
Place of origin
Shrewsbury
Order this imageCollection
Attingham Park, Shropshire
NT 608110.1
Summary
A mahogany, giltwood and gilt brass library bookcase, billed for by Thomas Donaldson (d. 1857), carver and gilder of Shrewsbury in 1812. 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. Matching the bookcase in the West Ante-Room (NT 608110.2) which was billed for by Donaldson in the following year. This bookcase of five doors enclosing deal, mahogany and ebony adjustable shelves. The frontage with a leaf-carved moulded cornice above a frieze with an applied giltwood beading. Above five pairs of doors all fitted with a brass grille fashioned as a lozenge lattice. Five small cupboards enclosed by similarly grilled pairs of doors - line with green watered silk taffeta - below. All the doors spaced by sunken 'pilasters' edge with giltwood beading. On a deep plinth with an upper giltwood moulding. Fitted with Bramah locks.
Full description
This bookcase was billed for by Thomas Donaldson (d. 1857), a carver and gilder of Shrewsbury, in 1812. One year later, he supplied a bookcase frontage of identical form for the West Ante-Room next door [NT 608110.2]. His bills describe this Ante-Room bookcase as of 'the finest Spanish Mahogy, veneerd upon Spanish Wood...finish'd in burnishd Gold'. The bookcases in the Inner Library were billed as of 'the finest Spanish Mahogany, crossbanded...finish'd in burnish'd gold'. This range, and its counterpart in the Inner Library, cost £331 11s 6d. Originally, both rooms were furnished with more bookcases, but ranges were sold in the Auction at Attingham in 1827. This range was catalogued as 'The elegant suite of Mahogany Panelled and Moulded Frame Wing Bookcases, Side of Room facing Windows, in five Compartments, Fitted up with numerous Shifting Shelves, enclosed by Ten Pair of Folding Doors, filled with Handsome Brass Diamond Trellis-Work, Ornamental Pilasters, and Brass Mouldings, Massive Rich Carved Leaf Moulded Cornice &c. on deep Plinth...Bramah's Patent Locks and Key.' It was bought in for £99 15s, about half the cost that Donaldson had charged for this range in 1812. 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. Listed in the 1827 auction catalogue as Lot 125 (p. 47) and bought in for £99 15s. Listed in the 1861 Inventory taken at Attingham (p. 84), in the 1913 Inventory taken there (p. 86), in the 1947 Probate Valuation as an 'heirloom' (p. 10) and in the Inventory taken c. 1953 (p. 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