Neo-Renaissance Oak Bookcase, 1890

Details

Description

A narrow, solid oak bookcase in the Neo-Renaissance style, created around 1890 within the context of Historicism. The two-doored cabinet … Read more A narrow, solid oak bookcase in the Neo-Renaissance style, created around 1890 within the context of Historicism. The two-doored cabinet rests on turned column legs with a connecting crossbar, giving the piece a calm, clearly structured, and upright proportion despite its rich carving. Historical Context: In the late 19th century, Historicism consciously drew on forms from past eras, with the Renaissance being particularly valued as an expression of education, permanence, and bourgeois representation. Lockable bookcases of this type were part of the furnishings of gentlemen's studies, offices, and libraries, where books, manuscripts, and documents were stored. The narrow design on a frame alludes to the earlier model of the cabinet and was also suitable for rooms with limited floor space.

Features: A drawer with a central handle is set into the carved frame; its front is integrated into the surrounding foliate ornamentation. Carved lion heads adorn the front corners of the frame, their design echoing the smaller mascarons on the door panels. The design follows Neo-Renaissance principles: an architecturally structured body with a profiled cornice, scale frieze, fluted pilasters, and applied tenons. The doors feature panelled sections with chamfered corners, grouped around a central carved motif. The twisted column legs with ball feet and the similarly twisted cross or H-shaped crossbar adopt 17th-century forms, lending the base a sense of lightness compared to the solid body. The gilded, ornamented escutcheons add a subtle accent. Function: Formerly: lockable storage for books, documents, and papers in a gentleman's study or study. Today: bookcase, bar cabinet, storage for dishes or linens, and storage space in a hallway or entryway.

Dimensions: Height 154 cm × Width 110 cm × Depth 33 cm.

Material and condition: Solid oak, metal fittings, gilt. Interior: One shelf, drawer in the frame, key included. Well-preserved with age-related wear, a few light scratches, and a subtle, natural patina. Inspected, cleaned, treated appropriately, structurally checked, and stable and functional by the castle's caretaker. See less