Lot Essay
The distinctive pierced swan's neck cresting, arched astragals and nearly identical fret-carving of this charming bookcase closely follows a Chippendale pattern of 1753 as published in his The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, 3rd edn., 1762, pl. XCVIII. The faithful adherence to the published design suggests a practicing tradesman in London or the provinces who would have subscribed to this highly influential pattern book.