Sorrento Ware Portable Book Slide
Sorrento Ware Portable Book Slide
84057
A Sorrento Ware walnut with various inlaid woods, fretwork Book Slide. The Book Slide extends in length and dismantles into three pieces to flat pack for travel. The arched cresting rail lifts off, and the back board also lifts up. It's held to the sides by long dovetails that slide into their counterparts to the inside back of the sides. The back board also has two locating lugs that drop into holes to the back of the base.
To extend the Book Slide, both sides are pulled out to the required length, increasing in length by a maximum of 10 1/2 inches (27 cm). The plain sections that extend to both the back board and base are cut with the same fretwork pattern as the decorated surface in front and above them so that they line up and are hidden when closed.
The level of decoration to this Book Slide is several steps up from most Sorrento Ware and must have come from a good workshop. The cutting of the inlay to the five scenic panels is sharp, the border inlay colourful and the floral fretwork has black highlights to emphasise the pattern. The construction is simply and effective but only because it has been so well considered. Naturally, the Book Slide has some splits to the fretwork and to the base scenic oval panel etc. due to the fineness of the work and movement of the wood over time. They don't jump out to the eye but are noticeable on close inspection.
The fact that this Book Slide 'flat packs' so easily and is such a good example of Sorrento Ware means it would have had great appeal to the late 19th century tourists, the Italian town of Sorrento attracted. Mid to late 19th century.
Extended size is 67 cm / 26 1/4 inches
Dimensions:
Mid to late 19th century.
Walnut and various inlaid fruitwoods etc.
Italy
Sorrento Ware
Generally good but some splits to fretwork and minor restoration
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. The plain sections that extend to both the back board and base are cut with the same fretwork pattern as the decorated surface in front and above them so that they line up and are hidden when closed.The level of decoration to this Book Slide is several steps up from most Sorrento Ware and must have come from a good workshop. The cutting of the inlay to the five scenic panels is sharp, the border inlay colourful and the floral fretwork has black highlights to emphasise the pattern. The construction is simply and effective but only because it has been so well considered. Naturally, the Book Slide has some splits to the fretwork and to the base scenic oval panel etc. due to the fineness of the work and movement of the wood over time. They don't jump out to the eye but are noticeable on close inspection.The fact that this Book Slide 'flat packs' so easily and is such a good example of Sorrento Ware means it would have had great appeal to the late 19th century tourists, the Italian town of Sorrento attracted. Mid to late 19th century.Extended size is 67 cm / 26 1/4 inches){kind=link}