Arts and Crafts Breakfront Bookcase

Arts and Crafts Breakfront Bookcase

A striking example of Arts and Crafts cabinet furniture, this breakfront bookcase embodies the movement’s dedication to craftsmanship and honest English oak materials. Designed and produced in late Victorian England, its generous proportions and refined detailing speak to both functionality and elegance in period interiors.

Origin: England
Date: Circa 1880
Material: English oak with metal mounts and tooled leather

Dimensions: Height: 276 cm (108 ins), Width: 338 cm (133 ins), Depth: 57 cm (22.4 ins)

Condition: Presented in superb condition with excellent patina; minor restorations commensurate with age.

This large Arts and Crafts breakfront bookcase compares favourably to pieces by revered makers such as Morris & Co., echoing the movement’s penchant for solid construction and restrained ornament. Its history ties it to Mallett Antiques, a renowned name in British decorative arts, and warrants comparison to notable examples found in museum collections and distinguished country houses. The breakfront form defines late nineteenth-century taste, bridging practicality and aesthetic ideals championed by the Arts and Crafts movement.

Notable Features:

• Exemplary craftsmanship: Meticulous English oak joinery, accented with superb original metal mounts.
• Decorative detailing: Fine tooled leather embellishments to the cabinet fronts, enhancing visual interest without ostentation.
• Design integrity: The breakfront structure offers architectural gravitas, balancing Arts and Crafts honesty with classical symmetry.
• Desirable collecting value: Rarity of this scale, coupled with distinguished provenance from Mallett Antiques, marks it as a significant historic bookcase for serious collectors.
• Versatile function: Ten drawers and ten cupboards provide generous storage for books or objets d’art, making it ideal for furnishing libraries or grand living spaces in period or eclectic schemes.

This exceptional bookcase is not only a substantial piece for any connoisseur of cabinet furniture, but also a sophisticated choice for those seeking authentic period bookcases in English oak. Its combination of utility, style, and provenance ensures lasting appeal and investable status in the realm of fine antique furniture.