Antique Arts & Crafts Mission Oak Bookcase With Upper Book Cradle

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With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique oak bookcase. This … Read more With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique oak bookcase. This particular bookcase is a choice example from the Arts & Crafts design movement which first became prominent over a century ago and remains incredibly popular today. The works of Gustav and L. & J.G. Stickley, Charles Limbert, J.M. Young, & Charles S. Harden were catalogued in paper brochures and mailed across the country forever changing design in America. By the late 1920's, nearly all major furniture manufacturers included Arts & Crafts influenced furniture into their paper catalogues. It is likely that this bookcase was produced by Lifetime Furniture around 1920 however without an original label we cannot exclude other potential makers. The open slat style construction is a hallmark of a number of possible makers including Quaint Furniture which was run by the younger Stickley brothers. This bookcase has a very desirable size making it the perfect companion for beside a writing desk or a reading chair. Quite often these bookcases are the perfect solution for storing a quantity of books somewhere with limited space or around architectural fixtures such as underneath a window in a historic home. The upper section is designed to cradle a large number of books so that their spines are oriented upwards for easy selection and showcasing. The lower shelf is designed for vertical book storage and works well with taller books. The entire piece is in the original finish and has oxidized wonderfully developing a desirable darker surface enhancing the Arts & Crafts period finish. Overall the bookcase measures 24 1/2" long x 13" wide x 27 1/2" tall. The upper book cradle has 22 1/2" of storage available from left to right and the lower shelf can support books which are 13" tall. See less