Antique Barristers Bookcases or ‘Layers Bookcase’ were first seen in The late 19th Century Victorian period and was usually stacking with cabinet glazed doors that open on a hinged mechanism, in the same design as the Globe Wernicke Bookcase or the Minty design. Antique Barristers Bookcases were designed to store books or other office documents and were commonly seen in solicitors offices, libraries or Schools in Britain. The beauty of this style of antique bookcase is the flexibility of being able to order them in any height as they simply stacked on top of each other. This meant you could have just one or several heights dependant on how much storage you needed. They are extremely collectable as they can house a large book collection and are quite a unique design. The smaller sections are ideal to provide a storage option for modern CDs or DVDs. The best examples were in Oak and Walnut and still retaining the original makers stamps. Other designs of bookcases were used in the office from the open fronted design to glazed bookcase on cupboards, to see our full selection please click here on our online shop. You can also have a look below at our small selection of Barrister design bookcases available for sale.
Stacking Barristers Bookcases for sale
Below are a few examples of previously sold Barristers bookcases but if any particular style looks of interest please let us know as we do get many similar designs in stock and we can try to locate something similar.
Small ‘Minty’ Oak Antique Barristers Bookcase.
This original ‘Minty of Oxford’ bookcase is made from oak and dates from around 1930. It has the original ‘Minty’ label on the interior, shaped sides and four glazed doors with brass handles.
Tall, Antique, Solid Oak, Arts & Crafts Open Barristers Bookcase. It has a beautifully figured rectangular top above three adjustable shelves, stands on shaped bracket feet and still displays the original oak back boards. This delightful piece is simple in design but is of superb quality, a lovely example of the Arts & Crafts movement.
Victorian Mahogany Antique Barristers Bookcase, Dating from around 1890 and has very desirable small proportions for the modern home. Based on a Georgian design but crafted by the Victorians the bookcase has a moulded cornice with dental moulding and thumb moulded decorated frieze.
Victorian Mahogany Glazed Antique Barristers Bookcase Above Fitted Cupboard. Dating from around 1870 this wonderful antique Victorian mahogany bookcase has a glazed front and sits above a cupboard with fully fitted interior. It has a moulded cornice with rounded corners above two glazed doors with arched mouldings, key with working lock and original Gillows style turned handle. The interior has three adjustable shelves and the original makers label of “S & H Jewell, Little Queen St. Holborn”. The lower section has a rectangular moulded top with rounded corners above two cupboard doors with central fielded arched panels, moulded edges and original Gillows style turned handle. The interior has been fully fitted out with letter racks, perfectly sized for todays A4 paper, an ideal solution for storing household paperwork! This impressive piece stands on a plain rounded plinth with original back boards and splits into two for ease of removal.
Superb Quality Antique Edwardian Mahogany Three Door Glazed Barristers Bookcas still has the makers stamp Druce & Co. of Baker street London. The rectangular moulded top displays wonderful cross banding with satinwood inlay and sits above a deep flamed mahogany frieze with decorative moulded edge. The three astragal glazed doors still have a key with working locks and front an interior that contains three adjustable shelves.
Related Reviews
- Jean Harvey,
This is what furniture is supposed to look like. A great showroom and lovely people to deal with.
- Lyndon Mason,
Fabulous piece of furniture and first rate service from James and not forgetting Chris his excellent courier. We travelled right across the country to buy this cabinet but it was totally worth it. Five stars all round.
- Vikki,
Dear JamesJust to let you know that the bookcase arrived this morning as arranged. We are really pleased with it.Many thanks.Best wishesVikki