Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1077

 GRECIAN AND MODERN VILLA FURNITURE. SuBSECT. 4. Grecian and Modern Fumitura for the Library. iOOv3 2092. Libraries on a large scale, and which are really intended to contain a collection of books, are fitted up with fixed book-shelves, occupying every part of the sides of the room, except the doors, the windows, and the fireplaces. If the books are enclosed by doors, the panels are commonly filled in with brass wire. An architectural character should always be given to the bookcases of a large library, corresponding with the style of the house. In small libraries, where the collection of books is not numerous, portable bookcases are resorted to ; and it may be observed of them, in general, that they ought to be comparatively simple, and grave in expression. Panels of looking-glass in the doors or styles of bookcases are, for this reason, in our opinion, always objectionable ; as there seems to be a want of harmony between looking-glasses, excess of carving, arabesques, and such finery, and the soUd treasures of knowledge contained in the books enclosed. 2093. Bookcases. Fig. 1901 is a bookcase, the front of which breaks forward (pro- jects). There are four doors below, the panels of which are wood ; and four doors in the upper part, glazed with plate glass. There is a carved pediment in the centre of the top. The doors may either be plain, like those in the centre ; or with ornaments, like those on the outsides, which are introduced to enable the reader to make a choice between them. Fig. 1 902 is a bookcase having the lower part finished with pilasters, or carved capitals ; and having what are called carved trusses (projections serving, either really or apparently, as supports) to the upper doors. The panels of the lower doors are of wood ; and those of the upper of plate glass, or of flatted crown glass. ( Flatted crown glass is produced by heating the glass quite hot in an oven, on aflat iron plate laid perfectly level, to which the heated glass adapts its surface ; the operation is performed for the cabinet manufac-