The glass-fronted bookcase entered the English cabinetmakers' repertoire about the mid-17th century, and the bookcase in one form or another has been an indispensable part of the civilized person's home ever since.The 17th century bookcase tended to be a glazed cabinet from plinth to pediment, with square glass panes. The later Stuart period saw the introduction of the bureau bookcase or the secretaire bookcase, where the bookshelves were double-heightened above a desk or cupboard base. Early bureau bookcases often had mirror or blind-panelled door fronts, although these have frequently been replaced with clear glass panes. During the Regency period, the fashion arose for small cabinet bookcases, rarely more than three feet in height, which left the walls clear for hanging prints and pictures, known in the trade as a 'dwarf bookcase'. Such bookcases were sometimes open at the front, others had elegant brass-grille more...

38 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

If you are seeking to purchase similar items CLICK HERE to view 45 similar items being offered for sale by dealers at our AntiquesPlus site.

Australian Colonial cedar 'Waterfall' open bookcase. With…

Colonial Cedar 'Waterfall' Bookcase from Cooma Monaro Region

Australian Colonial cedar 'Waterfall' open bookcase. With triple reeded edges, collected Cooma Monaro region, possibly early 19th century, height 118 cm W94 cm

An Australian kauri pine set of open bookshelves with chip…

An Australian kauri pine set of open bookshelves with chip carved paterae fascias and a plinth base, circa 1910, 114.5 cm high, 61 cm wide, 26 cm deep

An Australian Arts & Crafts set of open bookshelves with…

Australian Arts & Crafts Shamrock Bookshelves, 1920, 112x76x23 cm

An Australian Arts & Crafts set of open bookshelves with pierced shamrock sides, circa 1920, 112 cm high, 76 cm wide, 23 cm deep

An Australian stained kauri pine open library bookcase with…

Antique Kauri Pine Bookcase

An Australian stained kauri pine open library bookcase with three adjustable shelves, circa 1890, 124 cm high, 106 cm wide, 33 cm deep

Corner bookshelf c.1960s Australian oak, open four shelf,…

1960s Australian Oak Corner Bookshelf

Corner bookshelf c.1960s Australian oak, open four shelf, height 92 cm, width 65 x 65 cm

French provincial pine bookcase, early 20th century, with four…

French Pine Bookcase with Cupboard Doors

French provincial pine bookcase, early 20th century, with four open shelves above a pair of panelled cupboard doors, height 192 cm width 100 cm depth 28 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, NSW

W. H. Rocke & Co. fiddleback blackwood open front bookshelves,…

19th Century Blackwood Bookshelves by W. H. Rocke & Co

W. H. Rocke & Co. fiddleback blackwood open front bookshelves, 19th century bearing retailer's label 71 cm high, 121 cm wide, 21 cm deep

Large marbled wood open bookcase, early 20th century,…

Marbled Wood Open Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves

Large marbled wood open bookcase, early 20th century, hand-painted, stepped rectangular pediment above five adjustable shelves, height 220 cm width 175 cm depth 40 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Diana Kemp, NSW

Chinoiserie green lacquer bookshelf, first half of the 20th…

Green Chinoiserie Lacquer Bookshelf with Pagoda Design

Chinoiserie green lacquer bookshelf, first half of the 20th century, decorated with pagodas in landscapes, with four open shelves above a single cupboard door, raised on bracket feet, height 160 cm width 39 cm depth 32 cm. Provenance: The collection of…

Regency double sided mahogany open bookcase, early 19th century,…

Regency Mahogany Double-Sided Bookcase

Regency double sided mahogany open bookcase, early 19th century, with four open shelves on either side, decorated with applied roundels above turned legs on casters (A/F), height 150 cm width 108 cm depth 55 cm. Provenance: The collection of Dr. Henry…

A large cedar open bookcase, late 19th century, with a flared…

19th Century Cedar Open Bookcase with Cupboard Doors

A large cedar open bookcase, late 19th century, with a flared cornice above an arrangement of open shelves, the projecting lower section with panelled cupboard doors, 260 cm high, 190 cm wide, 37.5 cm deep. Provenance: The Marvin Hurnall collection

An Australian cedar open book case, 136 cm high, 127 cm wide,…

Australian Cedar Open Bookcase - 136x127x32 cm

An Australian cedar open book case, 136 cm high, 127 cm wide, 32 cm deep

A large Colonial cedar open bookcase, late 19th century, the…

Large Colonial Cedar Open Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves

A large Colonial cedar open bookcase, late 19th century, the upper section split, with four adjustable shelves to each side, the base with two shelves, 281 cm high, 295 cm wide, 51 cm deep

An Australian breakfront open bookcase, solid blackwood…

Melbourne Blackwood Breakfront Bookcase

An Australian breakfront open bookcase, solid blackwood construction with adjustable shelving, most likely Melbourne origin, circa 1885, 135 cm high, 216 cm wide, 38 cm deep

A Colonial huon pine open bookcase, the simple angled cornice…

Colonial Huon Pine Open Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves

A Colonial huon pine open bookcase, the simple angled cornice above six adjustable shelves, on turned legs, mid 19th century, height 207 cm, width 154 cm, depth 36 cm

Pair 19th century Tasmanian cedar dwarf open bookcases measure…

19th Century Tasmanian Cedar Dwarf Bookcases (Pair)

Pair 19th century Tasmanian cedar dwarf open bookcases measure 117 cm high, 45.5 cm x 26 cm (2)

An open shelf cedar bookcase, circa 1920s, with a raised low…

1920s Cedar Bookcase with Raised Gallery and Concave Moulding

An open shelf cedar bookcase, circa 1920s, with a raised low gallery, three wooden shelves flanked by slender stiles, with concave moulding to capitals and bases, raised on a slightly extended, platform base, height 146 cm, width 128 cm, depth 36 cm

Large 19th century cedar library bookcase with open shelves…

19th Century Cedar Library Bookcase

Large 19th century cedar library bookcase with open shelves flanked by corbels 4 drawer & 4 door base also flanked by corbels on plinth base, 306 cm wide, 235 cm high, 54 cm deep

19th century cedar waterfall front open bookcase, 4 tier

Cedar Waterfall Bookcase - 4 Tiers, Front Open

19th century cedar waterfall front open bookcase, 4 tier

An open face adjustable bookcase, Australian cedar and pine 118…

Adjustable Open-Face Bookcase in Cedar and Pine

An open face adjustable bookcase, Australian cedar and pine 118 cm high, 85 cm wide, 27 cm deep

Cedar bookshelf six open fixed shelves, shaped side supports,…

Cedar Bookshelf with Shaped Side Supports and Bun Feet

Cedar bookshelf six open fixed shelves, shaped side supports, on two turned bun feet, height 185 cm

Early Australian cedar open bookcase of tall proportions, circa…

Tall 1850 Australian Cedar Bookcase

Early Australian cedar open bookcase of tall proportions, circa 1850, scarce colonial collectors piece, 255 cm high, 160.5 cm long, 39 cm deep

Substantial Australian red cedar open bookcase late 19th…

Australian Cedar Open Bookcase, Late 19th Century

Substantial Australian red cedar open bookcase late 19th century, 227.5 cm high, 251.5 cm long, 46 cm deep, separates into two horizontal sections for transport

A good New Zealand colonial carved rimu whatnot bookcase with…

Carved Rimu Bookcase with Provenance

A good New Zealand colonial carved rimu whatnot bookcase with provenance, the carved top with a pair of exotic birds above the sectional tiered vertical display shelves with carved framing above four open shelves with carved edge and turned supports. The…

Australian Colonial cedar bookcase c.1880's and later the top…

Antique Colonial Cedar Bookcase with Cupboard Base

Australian Colonial cedar bookcase c.1880's and later the top with open adjustable shelves over lower four door cupboard base height 238 cm, width 190 cm, depth 30 cm

A large Italian polychrome painted open bookcase, of classical…

Italian Polychrome Painted Open Bookcase

A large Italian polychrome painted open bookcase, of classical architectural form with Latin inscribe open pediment above open shelves flanked by columns, 20 x 130 x 32 cm. Provenance: A private collection, Sydney

An early 20th century Australian blackwood dwarf bookcase, in…

Australian Blackwood Bookcase with Carved Gum Leaves

An early 20th century Australian blackwood dwarf bookcase, in the manner of Prenzel, the frieze carved with foliate decoration, above open shelves flanked by panelled doors, each carved with gum leaves and foliate, 139 cm high, 148 cm wide, 45 cm deep

A cedar open bookshelf, Australian, circa 1860, 96 cm high, 99…

Antique Cedar Bookshelf, Australian, 1860

A cedar open bookshelf, Australian, circa 1860, 96 cm high, 99 cm wide, 29 cm deep. Provenance: The Caressa Crouch & Carl Gonsalves Collection

An Australian cedar open face bookcase, circa 1850, Originally…

Antique Australian Cedar Open Bookcase, 1850

An Australian cedar open face bookcase, circa 1850, Originally the property of Hamon Charles Ellison Rich following his admission to the bar, he later became President of the Law Society and had a brother who was a high court judge, he passed away in 1926…

An Australian Federation open cedar floor bookcase with four…

Australian Cedar Bookcase with Four Shelves

An Australian Federation open cedar floor bookcase with four shelves, 123 x 124 x 30 cm

A small Australian blackwood open bookcase in the Arts & Crafts…

Arts & Crafts Blackwood Bookcase

A small Australian blackwood open bookcase in the Arts & Crafts style, circa 1900. 106 cm high, 66 cm wide, 28 cm deep

An Edwardian blackwood revolving bookcase, with a square top,…

Edwardian Blackwood Revolving Bookcase with Multiple Shelves

An Edwardian blackwood revolving bookcase, with a square top, above an open body with multiple shelves and slatted sides, above a swivel base, 90 x 83.5 x 90 cm

A good Regency rosewood open bookcase, circa 1830. The raised…

Regency Rosewood Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts

A good Regency rosewood open bookcase, circa 1830. The raised shelf with pierced brass gallery mount on 'S' form ormolu mounted supports, the base with two adjustable shelves and cut brass inlay, on a platform base with ormolu mount, 87.5 cm width x 29 cm…

A cedar open bookshelf, Australian, 19th/20th century, 55 cm…

Australian Cedar Open Bookshelf, 19th/20th Century

A cedar open bookshelf, Australian, 19th/20th century, 55 cm high, 122 cm wide, 27 cm deep

A cedar four-tier open bookshelf, Australian, circa 1840, 127…

1840 Australian Cedar Open Bookshelf

A cedar four-tier open bookshelf, Australian, circa 1840, 127 cm high, 115 cm wide, 24 cm deep.

A cedar open bookshelf, Australian, circa 1860, 96 cm high, 99…

Australian Cedar Bookshelf, 1860

A cedar open bookshelf, Australian, circa 1860, 96 cm high, 99 cm wide, 29 cm deep

Cedar open shelved bookcase. Attributed to George Thwaites.…

Thwaites Cedar Bookcase, 19th Century

Cedar open shelved bookcase. Attributed to George Thwaites. This bookcase was purported to have been purchased from the Redmond Barry estate sale in 1881. Height 226 cm, width 120 cm, depth 42 cm

Pair of contemporary open bookcases jarrah and ash, 192 cm high,…

Contemporary Jarrah and Ash Open Bookcases

Pair of contemporary open bookcases jarrah and ash, 192 cm high, 96 cm wide, 24 cm deep