The Presidency House Bookcase

Period Inspiration

Standing with a quiet authority characteristic of the early British administrative houses of Calcutta and Madras, The Presidency House Bookcase: A Georgian Arch in the Tropics embodies the refined dialogue between English Georgian classicism and the masterful cabinetmaking traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

This elegant bookcase-on-chest composed of a glazed upper cabinet and a broad, brass-mounted chest of drawers, echoes the furnishings found in the libraries and writing rooms of East India Company officials during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its architectural crown, a pronounced arched pediment centred by a carved scallop shell and sweeping foliate scrolls, pays homage to English Palladian and Georgian motifs yet is unmistakably adapted through the expressive hand of an Indian artisan.

The upper case, fitted with multi-pane glazed doors, speaks to the scholarly habits of the colonial functionary - protecting books, manuscripts, maps, and instruments from the humidity of the Indian climate. Below, the graduated drawers, reinforced with brass corner mounts and fitted with brass bail handles reflect the hybrid practicality of British campaign furniture: built to endure movement from posting to posting, yet maintaining the dignity of metropolitan design.

Turned bun feet elevate the form, lending the cabinet a grounded yet graceful silhouette. The timber, Indian solid wood, is dense, richly figured, and capable of taking carving and joinery with exceptional precision. This bookcase is not merely a storage piece; it is a microcosm of the colonial encounter, where forms conceived in London or Bath were reimagined by South Asian hands, yielding objects that are at once loyal to Georgian proportion and unmistakably tropical in spirit. It is a relic of a time when ideas, letters, and governance travelled across oceans, and furniture travelled with them.

Material – Teak and Brass

Dimensions in Inches:

Total Height: 78 
Width: 36
Depth: 17

Please note that each piece is handmade. There could be a slight variation (up to 2 inches) in dimensions.

Delivery Timeline - Every piece from The Collectors is crafted to order. Production and delivery typically require 4–6 weeks, with occasional extensions reflecting the care, materials, and finishing each object demands.

Customisation – Please email us at hi@thecollectors.in or call at 9886331003, before placing the order, in case you want to customise the wood type, dimensions or polish.

The price mentioned includes all taxes and delivery.

Item code - TCSC03