Bookcase

Object Name:

Bookcase

Object ID:

2002.690

Date:

1810-1820

Description:

Bookcase and Cabinet. Made up of two cases; the upper case has gothic arch glass-front bookcase with two shelves; the lower case has cabinet, with two cabinet doors. Ovolo (convex) molding on top of lower case holds upper case in place. Wood (maple, pine, and unidentified) is painted and grained, resembling rosewood.
Upper Case: The upper case has a pediment on the front, which has a rectangular center portion with brass finial, and scrolls on either side. Under the pediment is a narrow cornice of cove (concave) molding. Inside the bookcase are two full shelves. Bookcase doors are panel construction, with glass panes in the shape of 3 gothic arches per door. Doors are attached with two brass hinges each. Each door has 12 panes of glass separated with molding. The uppermost panes are arched. The doors each have a lock with a pressed brass escutcheon at the center. The left hand door escutcheon is blind while there is a key in the right hand lock. The left hand door has post locks on the top and bottom. The back of the upper case is made of horizontal pine panels, splits in back are covered with paper tape. Interior of bookcase has convex molding on upper sides. Bookcase sides may be maple.
Lower Case: The lower case is fronted with two full-size panel doors of mortise and tenon construction; the case itself is dovetail construction. Inside the cabinet are 2 full-width shelves (pine); the interior has a red wash. The door panels are painted and grained, with a thin gold stripe around the perimeter of the panel. The doors are held on by two brass hinges. There are key locks at the center of the doors with pressed brass escutcheons which are rectangular with cut out corners. The left door escutcheon is blind; the left door has post locks on both the top and bottom.
Base: The cabinet has bracket feet with a skirt which has a pendant center. The skirt continues on the sides.

Material:

Wood
Metal
Glass
Brass
Maple
Pine

Dimensions:

H-90.25 W-48 D-12.5 inches

Provenance:

From old NHHS museum on North Main Street, Concord, where it was used for exhibiting objects. Prior history unknown.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection