Bookcase

Art Historical Context

This elegant mahogany bookcase, crafted in America between 1765 and1775, stands as a fine example of colonial furniture from the pre-Revolutionary era. Measuring 55 x 46 x 15⅝ inches, its compact yet stately form was designed for displaying books and cherished objects in prosperous households. Mahogany, a dense and richly grained tropical hardwood imported from the West Indies or Honduras, was a hallmark of luxury in 18th-century America, the owner's wealth and refined taste amid growing colonial prosperity. The piece reflects the neoclassical influences filtering into American design through...