Large Irish George III mahogany secretary bookcase, the upper portion with an elaborate cornice with trailing shells, dentils and foliate moldings. The glazed doors with engaged fluted pilasters open to three fixed shelves. The desk portion has a figured fall-board opening to a tooled leather surface and interior fitted with pigeon holes and small drawers, centered by a quarter-matched prospect door and two documents slots with brick-work inlay. The lower portion has an unusual drawer configuration of four long graduated drawers flanked by short drawers, each with replaced shell hardware, all on a carved molding raised on three backet feet. Ireland, c. 1780.

Dimensions:
60" wide
64" wide at the cornice
20" deep, closed
36.5" deep, open
95" high

Condition: Refinished in the early 20th c, when all of
the brass hardware was replaced. The 12 panes of
glass appear original. Repair around the lock of the
fall-board, as evidenced by the dark area visible in
the photos.

This monumental secretary displays many features
characteristic of Irish furniture. The shell motif, as
seen in the cornice, was a very popular decorative
element in Irish furniture in the 18th century.

From Robert Morrissey Antiques. St. Louis. Missouri
Reference No. 1016