Edward Barnsley. A superior and impressive Cotswold School walnut breakfront glazed bookcase/cabinet

Edward Barnsley designed by, made by Charles Bray. A superior and impressive Cotswold School walnut breakfront glazed bookcase/cabinet designed by Edward Barnsley. And made by Charles Bray, dated 1932, with fine ebony and chequer inlaid detailing around each of the upper glazed doors with turned ebony handles and adjustable shelves behind. Flanked by slender concealed cupboards with adjustable shelves and further open adjustable shelves to each of the ends, the lower section with three conforming shaped cupboards with double fielded doors flanked with fitted end cabinets, with five drawers of various depths to each. When one studies this piece closely you will notice the care and attention in the way the walnut wood has been chosen to mirror the grain figuring, using pieces from the same part of the tree so the walnut mirrors itself. You can see this best in the two slim upper doors to each far side where the grain reflects itself. Provenance Mrs D.E. Neale, commissioned in 1932. Aspects of Victorian and Edwardian Decorative Arts,Fischer Fine Art, catalogue number 6 illustrated page 13, description page 15 Private collection. H 77', W 88', D 24'. 1932