Victorian Mahogany Bookcase Press

Victorian Mahogany Bookcase Press (Irish Provincial, c. 1850–1870) Description A two-part Victorian bookcase press comprising upper glazed display cabinet over lower cupboard section. The upper section features twin glazed doors with original mid-19th-century cylinder-blown glass panels and rounded front corners. The lower section has two solid doors with arched panel fronts and matching rounded edges. Constructed with mahogany veneer on a softwood carcass, with deal (pine) backboards and mahogany door frames. Both sections retain their original brass butt hinges, brass strike plates, and period screws. Dimensions cm - 133w x 46d x 236h Materials & Construction - Primary wood: Mahogany veneer over softwood/mahogany carcass - Secondary wood: Irish deal (pine) — wide vertical backboards, hand-planed Glazing: Original 19th-century cylinder-blown glass Hardware: Original brass hinges and screws; mid-Victorian machine-stamped plates Joinery: Hand-cut mortises, early machine-cut screws, wide-plank back construction typical of Irish mid-Victorian work Finish: Original internal surfaces; exterior likely re-polished in 20th century (shellac/French polish) Condition - The cabinet is structurally sound and in very good condition for age. - All major original elements—including the glass, hinges, hardware, joinery, backboards, and shelves—remain intact. - Surface wear is consistent with age and domestic use. No significant repairs or replacements noted. Origin & Attribution - This piece is attributable to an Irish provincial workshop, almost certainly within Munster (Cork or Limerick region). - This attribution is supported by: - wide hand-planed deal backboards - traditional Irish rounded-corner cabinet form - hinge mortise style - locally typical joinery/proportions - hardware consistent with Irish mid-19th-century production Estimated Date: Circa 1850–1870 Provenance: Skerries residence for last 40 years Previously owned by Dublin Diocese Vicar General