Appearance outweighs form and function, let alone age in this market and the red lacquered bookcase with chinoiserie decoration was certainly a good looker. The illustration obviates the need for a detailed description but worth mentioning is the fitted interior of drawers and pigeonholes behind the fall flap.
At 3ft 2in (97cm) wide, the bookcase attracted interest from as far afield as America, and after a battle between bidders in the room and on the phone the hammer eventually fell in favour of a Welsh dealer in the room who posted a winning bid of £2700.
Beauty before age for buyer of bookcase
UK: THE extent to which the decorators’ market has become a force to be catered for was illustrated at the 1200-lot Gloucestershire sale held by Wotton Auction Rooms (11.75 per cent buyer’s premium) February 20-21 when this relatively modern Queen Anne-style bureau bookcase led the bidding.
