An Extremely Rare Irish Hand Carved Bog Oak Book Slide of good size proportions, mid Nineteenth Century, of outstanding quality and condition. The adjustable base with allround Laurel Leaf decoration and a central split carving depicting a view of Muckross Abbey Killarney. Attributed to Cornelius Goggin 13 Nassau Street, Dublin Ireland.
One hinged folding bog oak bookend is carved depicting an elaborately carved seated Irish Wolfhound.
The other folding bookend is carved depicting an Irish Harp above a solid base with shamrocks.
Condition: Good untouched condition with almost no losses to carvings, nice surface patination.
Width: (an impressive) 19.75" (50cm). Depth: 5.75" (14.5cm). Height: 7” (18cm).
Shipped to Washington DC, USA.
Fixed price affordable worldwide Store to door shipping.
Irish Bog Oak wood is a rare timber which is excavated from deep underground, usually as a by-product of turf cutting, or when bogland is drained for agricultural use. The wood varies in age, usually ranging between 2,000 and 6,000 years old, The wood has been preserved due to the unique conditions of the Turf bogs in Ireland which waterlog the wood and keep it free from oxygen and sunlight which would cause it to decay. The chemistry of the Bog also reacts with the wood and transforms it's colour. Bog Oak is usually jet black, but occasionally a very dark brown. Throughout the Nineteenth Century and later many decorative items such as small furniture, Writing Slopes Book Slides and Ladies Jewellery, always with distinctive hand carved Irish subjects. This is a very nice example in superb condition.