id:			135086
accession number:	1958.129
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1958.129
updated:		2023-08-23 21:25:21.503000

Pair of Bookcases (Bibliothèques), c. 1720. Attributed to Charles Cressent (French, 1685–1768). Kingwood and rosewood veneers, gilt metal mounts; overall: 247.6 x 132.1 x 57.2 cm (97 1/2 x 52 x 22 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1958.129

title:				Pair of Bookcases (Bibliothèques)
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			c. 1720
creation date earliest:		1715
creation date latest:		1725
current location:		215 French, German, and Dutch
creditline:			John L. Severance Fund
copyright:			

---

culture:	France, 18th century
technique:	kingwood and rosewood veneers, gilt metal mounts
department:	Decorative Art and Design
collection:	Furniture
type:		Furniture and woodwork
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

---

CREATORS

* Charles Cressent (French, 1685–1768)  - made by

---

measurements: Overall: 247.6 x 132.1 x 57.2 cm (97 1/2 x 52 x 22 1/2 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

---

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

---

LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

---

PROVENANCE

	Count Potocki, Castle Lancut, Poland; (Rosenberg and Stiebel, Inc., New York).
	date: 
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


---

fun fact:
Pairs of bookcases such as these would have likely flanked a large fireplace within the library of a grand house.

digital description:
One of the obligations of a wealthy existence in the early 1700s was an interest in reading, or at least the impression of developing such an interest. Large bookcases such as these helped in that pursuit as they kept elaborately leather-bound books neatly behind a screen. The broad panels of marquetry and gilt-bronze mounts below suggest that the overall decorative scheme of figures symbolizing Geography and Commerce was perhaps more prominent than the rich intellectual holdings within.

wall description:
One of the obligations of a wealthy existence in the early 1700s was an interest in reading, or at least the impression of developing such an interest. Large bookcases such as these helped in that pursuit as they kept elaborately leather-bound books neatly behind a screen. The broad panels of marquetry and gilt-bronze mounts below suggest that the overall decorative scheme of figures symbolizing Geography and Commerce was perhaps more prominent than the rich intellectual holdings within.
---

RELATED WORKS

---

CITATIONS

---

IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1958.129/1958.129_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1958.129/1958.129_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1958.129/1958.129_full.tif