163. Antique Irish Burl Walnut Two Door Bookcase attrib Robert Strahan Dublin Ireland
A very imposing example of an Irish Burr Walnut Two Door Library Bookcase, made during the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Firmly attributed to renowned furniture maker Robert Strahan & Co. 1776-1969
The upper section with decorative moulded pediment above twin glazed doors, enclosing five adjustable shelves, the lower section with paneled cupboard doors ending on a plain plinth base.
Condition: Good allover condition recently re-French polished, exceptional figuring throughout.
Height: 92" (234cm). Width: 53.5" (136cm). Depth: (at base) 17” (43cm).
Eur.4,750.00
Location: Dublin City, Ireland.
Provenance: Sold at auction by Hamilton Osborne King Auctioneers at Humewood House Co. Wicklow Ireland July 1992.
Robert Strahan, Dublin, Ireland
Founded in 1776 as a cabinet maker, Robert Strahan & Co. grew to become one of Ireland’s premiere furniture designers, exhibiting at The Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853 in Dublin. A walnut table, exhibited at the second London International Exhibition of 1862, showcased their talent for both design and manufacture. Bringing together marquetry, scrolling foliage, masks, strap work and cartouches in a piece of some merit; A fine piece displaying the influence of Thomas Hope and Richard Bridgens, it was illustrated in the Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue for the London exhibition.Designing and manufacturing for the Office of public works, they gained the reputation for high quality furniture and were commissioned to design and manufacture for some of the great Irish country houses such as Doneraile Court, Co. Cork and Lisnavagh, Co. Carlow.
The Firm started out trading from 10-11 Chancery Lane. Move forward 39 years to 1815 and the firm had expanded in to 24-25 Henry Street. In 1845 it expanded further still into 5 Leister Street. In 1870 the firm moved to Abbey Street trading under the family name until 1969.