French Brown Cerused Oak Bookcase, 1940s
A French cerused oak bookcase from the 1940s, sourced from a private estate that included several pieces attributed to Jacques Quinet.
The bookcase was likely custom made for the interior itself, designed in response to the architecture and proportions of the home rather than as part of a larger commercial production. Six open shelves provide generous display space, while the lower section holds four tilt-out compartments. When closed, they read as four recessed wood panels within the larger facade. Opened, each compartment tilts forward, likely originally intended for records.
Crafted in cerused oak, the finish draws out the grain in pale contrast against the deep, rich brown ground. The labor-intensive cerusing process requires the wood to be brushed and worked by hand, opening the grain so a contrasting material can be worked into its pores. The excess is then removed from the surface, leaving the natural grain especially pronounced and making it a defining feature of the piece.
Stretching nearly eight feet across, the bookcase is remarkably shallow at just 10 inches deep. It offers the presence and storage of a much larger cabinet without requiring the same floor space. Its long proportions create an expansive surface for books, ceramics, art, and collected objects while maintaining an exceptionally shallow footprint.
In a library, it becomes a long backdrop for books. In a dining room, a place for ceramics and objects. Along a hallway or living room wall, it creates an entire composition without projecting heavily into the room.
A coordinating Desk, Cabinet, and Coffee Table are also available.
DIMENSIONS: 91.75"W x 10"D x 59.5"H
ORIGIN: France
PERIOD: 1940s
MATERIALS: Oak
CONDITION:
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