A large pine breakfront bookcase, 19th century, the extended…
click the photo to enlarge
A large pine breakfront bookcase, 19th century, the extended cornice with rounded corners and dentil borders above a pair of arched glazed doors opening to shelving and a fitted writing compartment with a small drawer arrangement, pull out writing surfaces and cupboards below, flanked by similar glazed doors and cupboards, upon a plinth base. Height 255 cm. Width 298 cm. Depth 55 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Dentil Moulding - An architectural ornamental feature found on furniture, usually directly beneath the upper mouldings on a cornice. The timber is cut in a series of deep rectangular sections, alternatively raised and flat, like the crenellation on a castle battlement. In appearance not unlike a row of small teeth. From the latin "dens", teeth. Most commonly seen on bookcases, chests and cabinets, and less frequently on desks and wardrobes.
  • Breakfront - A design generally found in larger pieces of furniture, such as bookcases, wardrobes and some sideboards. The line of the front is interrupted by the middle section standing out from each end. In a reverse breakfront, the centre section is recessed behind each end. Breakfronted pieces are usually made in three sections the middle and the two wings which are held together by the cornice and pediment, and the plinth on which it stands. The sensible buyer should show caution before buying breakfront pieces, especially bookcases, which are highly desirable and expensive. Always check that the timber, colour, patination, backboards, decoration and thickness of the wood are same in each section.
  • Cornice - The upper section of a high piece of furniture such as a bookcase, wardrobe or cabinet that sits immediately on the main structure. The cornice is usually decorated with a variety of architectural mouldings, worked either with a moulding plane or, from the later 19th century, by machine. The front and side of the cornice are mitred together, strengthened by glue blocks, and the back is generally a simple dovetailed rail to hold the structure together. Cornices are generally, though not always, fitted separately to the piece and are held in place either by screws sunk into the top board or by wooden corner blocks. A pediment may sit above the cornice, but sometimes the terms cornice and pediment are used interchangeably.
  • Plinth - The square or rectangular base of a piece of cabinet furniture, often ornamented with moulding. The plinth may be separate, as in some wardrobes or presses, and act as the support for the carcase. In a false plinth, the moulded boards may be attached directly to the piece. Furniture with a plinth base usually does not have separate feet. The term derives from architecture where it denotes the base of a column or statue.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

Edwardian pine dresser. Two pairs of glazed doors. Upper shelf section over matching 4 door base. Height 195 cm. Width 184 cm. Diameter 47 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A Victorian pine kitchen dresser, the upper section with three glazed doors, the base with two frieze drawers with bun handles above two cupboard doors flanking a fixed central panel, raised on a plinth base. 170 x 53 x 201 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

An antique country pine display cabinet, 19th century, the cabinet with an extended cornice above a pair of thirteen pane astragal glazed doors opening to three shelves, the separate base of plain form with two fielded panel doors, a single shelf and raise

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A solid huon pine bookcase, circa 1880, 235 cm high, 125 cm wide, 50 cm deep

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.