Bookcase shelf
Thomas Donaldson (d.1857)
Category
Furniture
Date
1813 (billed for)
Materials
Deal, mahogany and ebony
Measurements
2.8 x 63.5 x 40 cm
Place of origin
Shrewsbury
Collection
Attingham Park, Shropshire
NT 608110.2.10
Summary
A deal, mahogany and ebony-inlaid shelf, one of ten, part of the bookcase in the West Ante-Room by Thomas Donaldson (d. 1857) carver and gilder of Shrewsbury, billed for in 1813. Of deal, with a mahogany veneered front edge inlaid with ebony stringing.
Full description
The bookcase of which this shelf is a part was billed for by Thomas Donaldson (d. 1857), a carver and gilder of Shrewsbury, in 1813. One year earlier, he had supplied two ranges of identical bookcases for the room next door - the Inner Library - which cost £331 11s 6d [NT 608110.1]. 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'. Originally, both rooms were furnished with more bookcases, but ranges were sold in the Auction at Attingham in 1827. The range that survives in the Inner Library 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.' This Inner Library range was bought in for £99 15s, about half the cost that Donaldson had charged for it in 1812. This bookcase (Lot 126) was bought in for £56 0s. 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 1813. Listed in the 1827 auction catalogue as Lot 126 (p. 47) and bought in for £56 0s. Listed in the 1861 Inventory taken at Attingham (p. 83), in the 1947 Probate Valuation taken there as an 'heirloom' (p. 10) and in the Inventory taken c. 1953 (p. 2). 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