Bookcase

This small bookcase is one of a pair made about 1775 for David Garrick's Thames-side villa at Hampton, Middlesex. According to the inventory taken when Garrick died in 1779, there were ‘… 2 small [green and white] Bookcases with Sliding Shelves & Cupboards under' among a suite of similarly decorated furniture in the principal bedchamber. All the furniture remained at the villa until 1864 when the house and contents were finally sold and dispersed. As well as the two bookcases, a bed, two wardrobes, a corner cupboard, a dressing table, a pembroke table, and a stool survive from this suite. Several pieces are in the V&A museum. The bookcase has an adjustable shelf but was probably made to house octavo volumes. The lower part is a cupboard, the door being made as two sham drawer fronts, and there is some evidence that it was originally hinged to drop down vertically, rather than to open at the side. The conversion was done before the bookcase was painted. A letter of 1778 leaves little doubt that Garrick's wife, the famous Viennese dancer Eva Marie Veigel, was principally responsible for the choice of furnishings at Hampton. She accused Chippendale of overcharging for the green and white painted furniture, for which the cost of painting was nearly double the cost of the original pieces. This explains why the bookcase is made of mahogany rather than a cheaper wood, and why the shelf is veneered; the bookcase was originally unpainted but was later painted to match some new Chintz hangings imported from India. Mrs Garrick also objected to Chippendale's charges for making up the hangings, and to his allowing them to be seized from his shop by customs officers. Although the Calico Act forbidding the importation of Indian cotton had been repealed in 1774, Mrs Garrick had presumably not paid the import duty. Finally, Mrs Garrick accused Chippendale of either wasting or misappropriating some of her own green silk. She ended by demanding an independent valuation of everything Chippendale had supplied since 1772; the outcome of the dispute is not recorded.

This item is owned by The Chippendale Society. Explore the Society’s website and collections by clicking the external link below.