Clothespress / Bookcase

Dateca. 1740

Artist/Maker Giles Grendey

MediumPrimary: mahogany and mahogany veneer. Secondary: oak backboards, drawer; deal dustboards, blocking and some framing.

DimensionsOH 94 1/4";OW:51 1/8";OD:25 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1935-344

DescriptionClothespress/bookcase. Molded, broken arch, scrolled pediment terminating in volutes faced with carbed rosettes with cerved, dependent foliage; outer edge of pediment carved with leafage and foliation, inner section carved with dentil and egg and dart moldings; area between two pediments shaped and arched with small, projecting, central ledge, molded on upper edge; upper section has straight, plain sides; front composed of a pair of doors, opening at sides; each door has single large glass, mirrored panel, surrounded by ogee-shaped frame, the inner edge of which is carved with egg and dart molding; brass bound keyhole escutcheons on each door; doors open to reveal slotted interior fitted with three, shaped, adjustable shelves. Lower section: broad, flat top surrounded on front and sides by carved ribbon and foliate molding; upper section fits into smaller, slightly recessed section of top of lower section surrounded by carved, raised molding; straight, plain sides with exception of large, brass bail handles and solid backplates {similar brasses also on side of upper section}; front composed of a sliding, full-lengtrh shelf at top, faced with mahogany and surrounded by slightly projecting molding, with a pair of small, brass ring pulls; pair of doors below, each with cental, fielded panel surrounded by bead molding with similar molding covering overlap of doors; doors open to reveal four interior drawers, two at top above two full-length, each surrounded by beaded molding and each with brass bails and solid backplates; carved and molded base motifs on either side of central band of acanthus foliage; four shaped and carved bracket feet, on wooden rollers {did not examine underside to tell if rollers original}.
Label TextThis is one of the few case pieces that survive with a label by the London cabinet and chairmaker, Giles Grendey (1693-1780). Grendey apprenticed with William Sherborne, becoming free of the Joiners' Company in 1716. He became master of the company in 1766, producing furniture throughout his career for both the local and export markets. This somewhat unusually shaped piece has a bookcase behind the mirrored upper doors and drawers behind the paneled lower mahogany doors.
MarkingsLabels inside each of top drawers in lower section read: "GILES GRENDEY.......[Clerke]nwell,/ LONDON/ Makes and Sells all sorts of Cabinet/ Goods, Chairs, and Glasses"
"11419" stamped in ink on lock in upper section and stamped and written several places on back

Exhibition(s)