Drawing for a bookcase

This drawing is attributed to Thomas Chippendale junior. It is one of seven drawings owned by The Chippendale Society, extracted from an album assembled by the Toronto businessman Alexander Manning (1819-1903). Manning emigrated from Ireland to Canada and arrived in Toronto in 1834. A carpenter by training, he became one of the most successful builders and property developers in Toronto and was also active in local politics, serving twice as mayor in 1873 and 1885. In later life he became a philanthropist and patron of the arts, but the drawings presumably relate to his professional interests as a builder. It is not known how Manning acquired the drawings and their provenance prior to his ownership is unknown. It is also not known for whom the drawing was done nor whether the design was ever executed. It shares similarities with David Garrick's press bed in the V&A museum (W.21.1 to 8-1917) and with the library bookcases still in situ at Brocket Hall, but it most closely resembles a bookcase or china cabinet of unknown provenance sold in New York in 2014 (Sotheby's New York, 21–23 November 2014, lot 943). It also has similarities with the bookcase doors originally installed in the Little Library (now China Room) in Harewood House, since removed. These in turn relate to a coloured drawing by Robert Adam's office for a bookcase for Sir George Colebrooke, 1771 (Sir John Soane's Museum, London, SM Adam vol. 17/219).

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