Georgian-Style Open Bookcase with Concealed Top Drawer
Decorative art, specifically furniture (open bookcase with drawer) • Attributed to Sligh-Lowry Furniture Company (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Style & Movement
Revivalism (Georgian Revival / Neoclassical Revival)
Medium & Technique
Mahogany veneer and solid hardwoods, joined and finished with a dark transparent varnish, featuring brass or cast metal hardware and precise woodworking joinery techniques
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1930s-1950s)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated dimensions: approximately 48 inches high, 36 inches wide, and 14 inches deep; upright rectangular furniture format with bow-front contour
Subject Description
A freestanding upright wooden bookcase featuring a softly rounded or bow-front facade, an overhanging top surface, an integrated wide frieze drawer centered with a decorative hardware pull, and three open interior display shelves flanked by classical upright side panels.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Structurally sound with expected surface wear, minor finish scuffs, and abrasions consistent with age and domestic use, particularly visible along the top surface and lower edges.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400
Provenance History
Likely acquired new from a mid-century American retail furniture outlet specializing in Grand Rapids revivalist reproductions; descended through private domestic ownership.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the mid-20th-century American furniture industry's dedication to reproducing historical European styles, specifically British Georgian aesthetics, making quality period-style design accessible to middle-class households.
Notable Features
Features a classic bow-front profile, a streamlined upper frieze drawer designed to mimic classical architectural elements, and rich mahogany wood grain typical of high-grade Grand Rapids furniture production.
Condition Issues
Surface wear, scratches, and finish loss along the top upper edge and crown; minor scuffing on the lower shelves and base molding from everyday book storage and foot traffic proximity.
Conservation Recommendations
Clean with a mild, non-alkaline furniture cleaner; apply professional touch-up to finish losses on the top surface using tinted wax or shellac; maintain in a stable environment away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity fluctuations.
Collector Notes
Possibly Sligh-Lowry and Georgian style?