Lot Essay
The bookcase is carved with two coats of arms. One bears the arms of the family of Jerningham of Costessey Hall, Norfolk. The other is that of the Lords Stafford whose barony was united with the Jerningham baronetcy by Sir George William Jerningham in 1824.
It was Sir George who undertook the extensive remodelling and enlargement of Costessey Hall demanded by this new elevation. The work was continued after his death in 1851 by his son Henry Valentine, and furniture was still being ordered from London as late as 1868. A chair from this commission, similarly emblazoned with arms, is in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
There is a catalogue of the contents of Costessey Hall, sold in December 1913 by George Cubitt a Norwich auctioneer, a copy of which is listed in the archives of the Thetford Public library.
It was Sir George who undertook the extensive remodelling and enlargement of Costessey Hall demanded by this new elevation. The work was continued after his death in 1851 by his son Henry Valentine, and furniture was still being ordered from London as late as 1868. A chair from this commission, similarly emblazoned with arms, is in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
There is a catalogue of the contents of Costessey Hall, sold in December 1913 by George Cubitt a Norwich auctioneer, a copy of which is listed in the archives of the Thetford Public library.