Lot 929
An Antique American Federal Inlaid Mahogany and Églomisé Breakfront Bookcase, Boston, shaped cornice with flame birch panels surmounted by brass spreadwing eagle and spire finials,center doors with oval mirrors and églomisé panels of floral urns, two drawers below; each side door with églomisé panel of Classical maiden in a garden, short drawer and cabinet below, drawer bails stamped "W.J.", likely for William Jenkins, Birmingham, turned, tapered, reeded legs; bearing T.G. Buckley Co., Boston, Mass. inventory labels, height 91 in., width 67 in., depth 18 in.
Note: This bookcase is closely modeled after the very well known Salem, Massachusetts Gentleman's Secretary (acc#57.796), now conserved in the Winterthur Museum, Delaware. Likely one of the many "much-copied bookcase" forms Albert Sack referenced in the story of the "Masterpiece" his father handled for Henry Francis DuPont just prior to the Depression.
An interesting detail on this bookcase is the stamped hardware. William Jenkins is first seen as a manufacturer of "commode handles" as partner with Thomas Hands as early as 1791 and by 1805 they are working separately. Jenkins continues on his own until 1823 when his son becomes a partner.
Reference: Montgomery, Charles. American Furniture The Federal Period. 1966. pp. 225-226; Sack, Albert. The New Fine Points of Furniture Early American. 1993. p. 179; Fennimore, Donald L. Metalwork in Early America. 1996. p. 443.
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