We wanted to offer these two bookcases as a near pair as well as individually because it’s quite difficult to find a pair of antique Victorian bookcases or a pair of antique Victorian cabinets. The majority of the pictures are the bookcase on the right which currently has a gallery and wheels. If the gallery and wheels are removed from the cabinet on the right the only major difference between the two would be the one on the left will have replaced glass while the one on the right retains its original wavy glass. There are a few other minor differences that can be easily altered to make them a closer pair. We can have our restorer cut wood shelves to match the one on the right. We don’t have the bookcase on the left listed for sale by itself at the moment but wanted to offer them together as a near pair because it's a rare interior design opportunity.
The cabinets have shallow line carvings along the stiles with carved panels at the top and bottom. The carvings are all different and we’re pretty sure they’re Masonic symbols. The lower carvings feature a plant motif with two symbols that look like the letter A with a double strike through it. This might be an allusion to the Scottish Rite and be an abbreviation for Ancient & Accepted. The upper panels have a pair of shepherd's crooks with a hilted sword at the center. If the gallery and wheels are removed to match the one on the left the pair of cabinets would measure 30” wide x 14 1/2” deep x 59 1/2” tall.
