The Earnshill Presses

A Pair of early 18th Century Mahogany Architectural Cabinets from Earnshill House Of Palladian form, these large-scale cabinets were originally constructed by joiners working on the interior of Earnshill House in the mid-18th century. Built initially as integral elements of the decorative scheme, they are practical pieces for use as bookcases or shelved cabinets. Truly unique examples of the restraint and excellence of English design and craft in the period 1720-1750.

Twelve raised panels (three on each door and three on each side), and reeded 'Scamozzi' Ionic pilasters, along with exuberant use of ogee-profile borders and mouldings, create a surface that is rich with tonal variation and interest. A celebration of the very finest Jamaican mahogany, of a sort that was rarely seen after the 1750s. The surface has retained an incredible dryness, built up over many years, and there is an overall tone and colour found only on absolutely untouched mahogany.

Much of the excellent panelling throughout Earnshill is of a very similar design to the bookcases, and thus the notion that the joiners, rather than carpenters, or a third party cabinet-maker, incorporated the construction of these cabinets into an overall scheme is a compelling one. While John Strahan is often associated with the design of Earnshill, Colen Campbell (1676-1729) is said to have designed the central portion (Leighton, p.10), and would have done so at the very end of his career; there is a good chance that he had a direct hand in the design of the bookcases.

Drawings from Batty Langley of highly architectural cabinets can be found in his 1740 work 'A Dorick Bookcase' in Langley's 'The City and Country Builder's and Workman's Treasury of Design: or the art of drawing and working the ornamental parts of architecture.' Another drawing, by Langley, shows the Ionic capital almost exactly as it is rendered in the pilasters on these bookcases.

For a similar, smaller piece, see the bookcase which sold at Sotheby's New York on 30th January 2024, Lot 145.

Literature:

Langley, Batty, 'The City and Country Builder's and Workman's Treasury of Design: or the art of drawing and working the ornamental parts of architecture.' (1740)

Leighton, H.G.M., 'Country Houses Acquired with Bristol Wealth', (Trans. Bristol & Gloucestershire

Archaeological Society 123 (2005), 9-16)

Hussey, Christopher, 'Earnshill, Somerset - II; The Home of Mr Richard Combe', Country Life, 20th October

1960 [image below showing cabinets in situ taken from said article]

Ref: 5865

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