Details of 2007 Auction of William IV Mahogany Bookcase belonging to Henry Kay

Lot 45 : A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE
Christie's - London - 13 November 2007
85 Old Brompton Road
London, Greater London
United Kingdom
SW7 3LD
Phone: 0207 930 6074
Fax: 0207 752 3321
Email: info@christies.com
Price Realised:
£8,750
Artist or Maker:
CIRCA 1835
Title:
A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE
Description:
A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE CIRCA 1835
With a moulded cornice above six astragal glazed doors divided by turned column pilasters, the base of inverted breakfront outline with a secretaire drawer flanked by pedestals with panelled, flame-figured doors, on a plinth base, bearing printed paper labels to the reverse, Per.... MR. HENRY KAY, WEDDINGTON HALL NUNEATON WARWICKSHIRE.
101in. (256.5cm.) high; 119in. (303cm.) wide; 30in. (76cm.) deep extended
Provenance:
Henry Kay (d.1865), Weddington Castle, Warwickshire.
Notes:
This lot is offered without reserve.
A house stood at Weddington from the mid-16th century, and was incorporated into a re-designed Castle or Hall by the architect Robert Lugar in the early 19th century. Clad in sandstone and castellated in the popular taste of the day, it was set in parkland that was possibly laid out by Capability Brown. Henry Kay was among a succession of tenants of Weddington in the 19th century. The house was ultimately demolished in 1928.
Source 2009: www.invaluable.com
Webmaster's note: in 2012 I was contacted by a Belgian collector named Erwin Ulrix, who confirmed that he was now in possession of this piece (and another possible piece from Weddington Castle, a dining table) which he was having restored. You can see photos of the bookcase being restored in 2015 below (thanks to Mr Ulrix for these). Also, you can read an account of the bookcase's fortunes and current location here.
Christie's - London - 13 November 2007
85 Old Brompton Road
London, Greater London
United Kingdom
SW7 3LD
Phone: 0207 930 6074
Fax: 0207 752 3321
Email: info@christies.com
Price Realised:
£8,750
Artist or Maker:
CIRCA 1835
Title:
A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE
Description:
A WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SECRETAIRE BOOKCASE CIRCA 1835
With a moulded cornice above six astragal glazed doors divided by turned column pilasters, the base of inverted breakfront outline with a secretaire drawer flanked by pedestals with panelled, flame-figured doors, on a plinth base, bearing printed paper labels to the reverse, Per.... MR. HENRY KAY, WEDDINGTON HALL NUNEATON WARWICKSHIRE.
101in. (256.5cm.) high; 119in. (303cm.) wide; 30in. (76cm.) deep extended
Provenance:
Henry Kay (d.1865), Weddington Castle, Warwickshire.
Notes:
This lot is offered without reserve.
A house stood at Weddington from the mid-16th century, and was incorporated into a re-designed Castle or Hall by the architect Robert Lugar in the early 19th century. Clad in sandstone and castellated in the popular taste of the day, it was set in parkland that was possibly laid out by Capability Brown. Henry Kay was among a succession of tenants of Weddington in the 19th century. The house was ultimately demolished in 1928.
Source 2009: www.invaluable.com
Webmaster's note: in 2012 I was contacted by a Belgian collector named Erwin Ulrix, who confirmed that he was now in possession of this piece (and another possible piece from Weddington Castle, a dining table) which he was having restored. You can see photos of the bookcase being restored in 2015 below (thanks to Mr Ulrix for these). Also, you can read an account of the bookcase's fortunes and current location here.