Bookcase - Bookcase

Renaissance revival style double door bookcase with a complex cornice over a shallow course of dental molding that surmounts a course of egg and dart molding. The central focus of the upper frieze is a long haired emperor/deity/philosopher figure crowned with olive branches or laurel leaves. Rinceaux border of a long haired man with a wreath of olive branches flanked by a rinceaux border. The lower register features a draped acanthus border. The stile carvings are topped by female caryatid figures representing comedy (proper right) and tragedy (on proper left). The veiled figure of Comedy holds the mask representing humor. Tragedy stands in a contemplative pose, clutching a dagger in here proper right hand. Both figures rest on an bracket formed of an acanthus leaf above a cascading column or flowers, ribbons, nuts, and fruit. All of the carvings are solid, but separate from the case of the piece and applied. Both doors are heavily carved with view windows surmounted by a tombstone arches bordered by modified acanthus/egg dart borders. Deeply carved vines with fruit and flowers border then the proper left door, were the door sides overlap. Molding separates the view windows from decorative panels representing the Arts and Sciences. Each panel is bordered by egg and dart molding. The proper left door panel is composed of a central arrangement bound by a scrolling ribbon consisting of: a book with titled "TRAITE/ASTRONOMIE"; a multi-paged document possibly incised with the names of philosophers—the first initials are JEPC running vertically down the side of the page; a compass; a quill; a telescope; a corner rule. The group is framed by two sweeping laurel branches with berries. The proper right door is bound from above by a scrolling ribbon. The group consists of: a lyre; a book with the letters CPJP incised vertically on the proper right side; an inkwell with the words "ENCRE" meaning ink, incised on the front. The group is flanked by laurel branches with berries. The frieze above the side panels of the upper case feature large gadrooning and acanthus leaves. The body of the upper case is composed to two panels, each with a central diamond motif. The base has another small panel that concludes with molding consistent with the rest of the case. The lower case is bordered on the side stiles with four acanthus leaves surrounding a central oval boss. The drawer blades are decorated on the top and bottom by acanthus leaf molding that continues to the sides of the piece. The base molding repeats in a larger modified acanthus/egg and dart molding . The piece is supported by heavy, knuckled claw feet. The back legs are plain. The drawer front features a central feline figure, with an open mouth that serves as the drawer pull. This central figure is bordered by large gadrooning and acanthus leaves. The drawer construction is course with jagged, irregular dovetails that project from the side rails towards the back of the main case. The case has three shelves with a carved oak edge, applied to a poplar board which makes up the shelf. The shelves are adjustable.