Biedermeier Bookcase, 1825

Southern Germany
Walnut
Biedermeier around 1825

Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 108 x 42 cm

:
Small antique bookcase or glass cabinet from the southern German Biedermeier period.

Two-door body standing on pointed feet. The lower panels of the doors are veneered in strict symmetry, the three upper panels are glazed.
The rare, original ornamental molding in the shape of an arrow gives the piece of furniture its unmistakable character. Finely carved from solid walnut, we see the fletching with an underlying nock in front of the lower disc, the shaft tapering slightly towards the top and the arrowhead with barbs at the very top.

The interior of the cabinet is divided by four height-adjustable shelves.
The outer sides are also mirror veneered.

Worth knowing:
In contrast to display cabinets glazed on three sides, bookcases are closed at the sides and only have differentiated front glazing. Apart from the bars, the door frames are rarely glazed in their entirety. Instead, the lower and centre sections of the door frames are fitted with wooden panels.
Bookcases of this type are also known as glass or display cabinets. While regular bookcases provided a limited view of the book collection, many pieces of furniture of this type were also fitted with fabric-covered panes and thus served as invisible storage furniture in the living area.
Authentic bookcases from the Biedermeier period are highly sought-after items of furniture and their prices are correspondingly high. A temptingly cheaper option is the bad habit that has been practised for many years of converting traditional wardrobes by replacing the wooden panels with glass panels. A piece of furniture remodelled in this way is neither an antique, nor can it match the overall appearance of an original bookcase, as the depth of the carcass differs by around 10 to 15 cm.
[Rainer Haaff – Biedermeier-Möbel p. 178]

Condition:
Restored ready to live in and hand-polished with shellac. Clean appearance, condition suitable for everyday use.

Comparable pieces of furniture can be found in the reference book:
Rainer Haaff – Biedermeier-Möbel from p. 178